You probably need to brush up on your tactics. That is the main discerning factor at this level I think (well it's the main discerning factor for me too; I'm not exactly all that good and lose a lot of games to tactics). You should always look at checks, attacks on undefended pieces or squares (most tactics are "double attacks" in some fashion), and pieces lined up on ranks/files/diagonals for potential pins and skewers. Other than that, just looking at a couple of your games briefly you sometimes seem to move your pieces/pawns forwards unnecessarily when you could be spending that time developing everything.
As for concentration maybe try playing more slower games and really try to focus on finding the best move in each position (within reason, don't run out of time lol). Blitz can often facilitate a rather carefree attitude I think.
I'm not too experienced but eh, nobody else has replied and I've personally escaped that approx 900 slump (and higher slumps)
Hangining betwee ELO 850 and 950
Post a game for us to analyze. Preferably standard time controls.
Read a good beginners book for starters.
People should not give general advices without looking at his games. He said he is playing for years, so probably knows this and that. I saw few of your blitz games. They were 10/0. I will advice you to play 5/5 blitz or other time control with inc. You are doing okay.... for first 8 moves. After that you start playing without plan. You see something and you go for it. You play move by move. Hope chess. You dont know, if your move is good or not, you hope you can meet enemy threats after he makes a move. Then you move somewhere almost (usually attacking move that does not really good move) randomly and same thing again. You make too much agressive moves with queen trying to take free piece, but instead you are the one hanging free pieces. Sorry for bad english.
Wow, thanks to all of you, espcially AIM-AceMove, mariosuperlative and Under-the-Tide! This was very helpful. The 1-move thinking is really a problem, on which I have to work on, also tactics and less aggressiveness (which might be the hardest point...). "Hope Chess" is the main reason stucking in this ELO area. Thanks again!
sounds like you've played and have a good feel for the game, but maybe need help with consistency or knowledge
do you end up losing to stronger players due to their stronger play, or do you make errors and give up games? im sure its a mix of both, but depending, you can figure out how to improve - you have lots of room to improve relatively easily, if you set up the right strategy and self-analysis
Hi,
I am playing chess since years, have some software to learn, play a lot (up to 10 games a day), but I am always hanging around 850 to 950 ELO. I finish chess software basics with about 90% to 100%, but feel a lack of concentration while playing. I hope, that it is a general problem and ask for help from experienced players.
Thanks in advance for support
Best regards
Peter