Could you point me towards things I should look out for? Not asking for in depth explanation or anything. I just don't really know what I don't know
how can i improve
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Play more puzzles.
You need to practice tactics, basic things. Basic mates in 2 or 3 moves, forks, pins etc. The more you solve puzzles the more you just get a sense of what piece goes where, you learn some common ideas and how to defend against them. So puzzles, lots of them. Good luck 
"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-start-out-in-chess
https://www.chess.com/blog/michechess89/8-tips-to-increase-your-online-rating
https://www.chess.com/news/view/rapid-chess-improvement
https://www.chess.com/news/view/a-new-years-resolution-improve-your-chess-with-new-lessons
https://www.chess.com/article/view/mastery-chess-lessons-are-here
"... In order to maximize the benefits of [theory and practice], these two should be approached in a balanced manner. ... Play as many slow games (60 5 or preferably slower) as possible, ... The other side of improvement is theory. ... This can be reading books, taking lessons, watching videos, doing problems on software, etc. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf
"... If it’s instruction, you look for an author that addresses players at your level (buying something that’s too advanced won’t help you at all). This means that a classic book that is revered by many people might not be useful for you. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2015)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-best-chess-books-ever
Here are some reading possibilities that I often mention:
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Simple-Attacking-Plans-77p3731.htm
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (1948)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-back-to-basics-tactics
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5856bd64ff7c50433c3803db/t/5895fc0ca5790af7895297e4/1486224396755/btbtactics2excerpt.pdf
Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014)
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
https://www.chess.com/blog/ForwardChess/book-of-the-week-openings-for-amateurs
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Müller (2015)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-endgames-for-kids/
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endgames_for_Kids.pdf
A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf
Studying Chess Made Easy by Andrew Soltis (2009)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090448/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review750.pdf
Seirawan stuff:
http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090229/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review492.pdf
http://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-openings
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-endings
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708092617/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review560.pdf
Find someone who started playing chess after the age of 30, has no talent, and struggled for several years before finally seeing any, but eventually consistent, improvement ... find that person and ask him/her what s/he did. Only that person has any credibility for the typical player struggling to improve. Be wary of advice from folks who played a lot as children or teenagers and achieved a decent rating before adulthood.
ghost_of_pushwood wrote:
NomadThe wrote:
Its just as soon as my plan crumbles i lose some hope unless i can rebound miraculously.
The real question is...what do you mean by this sentence?
Like I have trouble once my plan falls apart. But sometimes I can wing it and get back an advantage
ForkPinRags wrote:
... don't move onto the next opening until you understand and recognize the current opening. ...
Is opening-understanding a yes-or-no thing or perhaps more appropriately considered as a subject where understanding gradually improves with experience?
"... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... The way I suggest you study this book is to play through the main games once, relatively quickly, and then start playing the variation in actual games. Playing an opening in real games is of vital importance - without this kind of live practice it is impossible to get a 'feel' for the kind of game it leads to. There is time enough later for involvement with the details, after playing your games it is good to look up the line. ..." - GM Nigel Davies (2005)
"... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
ForkPinRags wrote:
... find a GM approach that's suited your style of play. I gravitated towards Yasser Seirawan. ...
"... A typical way of choosing an opening repertoire is to copy the openings used by a player one admires. ... However, what is good at world-championship level is not always the best choice at lower levels of play, and it is often a good idea to choose a 'model' who is nearer your own playing strength. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
ghost_of_pushwood wrote:
I'm guessing that your plans at this stage are consisting largely of one-move threats. Once your opponent sees them, your game "falls apart." So you have to come up with ideas that will go on strengthening your position even if your opponent makes the best moves.
This!! I was not sure how to put it into words well but this is what my problem seems to be, thank you
Here are some reading possibilities that I often mention:
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-play-positional-chess
https://www.chess.com/article/view/test-your-positional-chess
https://www.chess.com/article/view/do-you-really-understand-positional-chess
https://www.chess.com/article/view/get-ready-to-test-your-positional-chess-again
https://www.chess.com/article/view/can-you-pass-this-positional-chess-test
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-calculate-long-term-advantages-in-chess
https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-basic-pawn-structures
https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-pawn-structure-for-chess-players-under-2000
https://www.chess.com/article/view/your-pawn-structure-is-your-friend
https://www.chess.com/article/view/more-pawn-structures
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Simple-Attacking-Plans-77p3731.htm
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Seirawan stuff:
http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090229/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review492.pdf
http://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
50 Essential Chess Lessons by Steve Giddins
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708100833/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review534.pdf
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/50_Essential_Chess_Lessons.pdf
Amateur's Mind by Jeremy Silman
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708094419/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/ammind.pdf
https://www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/amateurs-mind-the-2nd-edition/
Feb 10, 2020
0
#12
No other way to learn chess but to learn endgame...I Invite you to watch and learn my YouTube Chess Channel...its free to subscribe......FM Jesse
www.youtube.com/channel/UC19el2OO2z-aWnLlyuu8ToQ
Cheers...I hope my YouTube Chess Channel would be of help to improve your chess skills to attain much higher rating....kindly subscribe its free...just press click....FM Jesse
Like the title says, i am at a point where i know a little bit more than a beginner and i am having trouble getting the games to go into my favor. I know some basic strategy and how to play my pieces together for the most part. Its just as soon as my plan crumbles i lose some hope unless i can rebound miraculously. If anyone could point me in a direction that would be amazing!