how do i get better?

currently i'm around a 1300 and i really want some advice on how to become better.

Steroids.

Cialis

try the tactics trainer. It helped me.

second, Let the computer mark your mistakes. This is possible in freeware version of Fritz. Very interesting to see what kind of moves you missed.

Here is a serious answer unlike some other helpful comments .

Get some good books and study them.

There are plenty of lists all over the internet.

I used and would recommend Yasser's winning chess series, but there are tons of other equally good or even better books out there.

Some traps that begginers fall into are

- Blitz: Doesn't help your chess

- Opening study: No opening books, I know there are plenty of them and they all look tempting but they won't improve your game much.

thank you chess_enigma and gert-jan. i will look into fritz. chess_enigma if i'm not supposed to play blitz, what do you reccomend?

I'd say the real improvement begins when you forget about the clock. Playing correspondence chess is the best way to learn, since you have all the time (and way more) you need to think clearly.

Don't play too much online games at once. I personally am playing at my best when I don't have more then ten games at once. When I play twenty online games I feel rushed and make mistakes.Play at least one chess960 game. In this game you have to forget about all opening theory you know because you start at an very unexpected situation. I makes you look better and think outside the normal developing moves you always do.

Play as many OTB tournment games as you can and go over the games after. CC is also good.

You may have reached your potential, or this maybe a blip on your way up to your potential. I leveled out years ago (oldman here) there is little you can do except play and enjoy your chess.