Have you thought about playing something other than live blitz/speed games?
My problem with chess.
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Aug 4, 2012
0
#3
@OP - this is normal : closed and semi-closed structures are difficult to tackle with when you start chess.
You could learn general ideas from books (general strategy like Pachman's or collection of annotated games), or alternatively, go over some of your games with a coach to get specific explanations.
Aug 4, 2012
0
#4
Click on LEARN at the top of the page and start checking out as many features as you can access such as the Tactics Trainer, articles, chess mentor etc (some features are only available to premium members)
These 2 blogs should be helpful, although they just scratch the surface on improving your game overall
http://blog.chess.com/NimzoRoy/chess-opening-principles
http://blog.chess.com/NimzoRoy/endgame-faqs
It takes time to get better at chess. You need to play but you also need to study. In the few months that you say you have been playing it will be hard to notice significant improvement.
When you study the game, you will learn the aspects that good chessplayers use to calculate the "worth" or "score" of a move. Steinitz developed a list of elements that became one of the cornerstones of modern chess thought:
Permanent advantages
1. Material advantage
2. Bad king position
3. Passed pawns in the middlegame
4. Weak pawns for the opponent
5. Strong and weak squares
6. Pawn islands
7. Strong pawn center
8. Control of a diagonal
9. Control of a file
10. Bishop pair
11. Control of a rank
Temporary advantages
12. Bad piece position
13. Inharmoniously placed pieces
14. Advantage in development
15. Concentration of pieces in the center (centralization)
16. Space advantage
Study those things and you will be on your way. These will allow you to "score" your moves. Over time it will be second nature.
Of course, you can not neglect tactics. If you drop pieces, the game is not likely to go your way!
Also check the excellent Novice Nook columns by Dan Heisman available at
http://www.chesscafe.com/archives/archives.htm
Good luck!