How to improve in Chess?

Basically, I know how to move the pieces and etc. I've been playing it for some time now however, I would say that I'm an average player. I just don't get the concept of the strategies and I'm not sure how to actually improve in chess. I know that you have to play with others to improve but, some people actually analyse chess tactics, why? How would that help because it's very unlikely that you would ever find pieces positioned EXACTLY for a specific chess tactic. And, I love chess so, I would love to improve at it so, could anyone offer any suggestions :)

You've not played any games here (so, we've no idea if you're a GrandMaster average player, or a novice). 

The game can be thought of as composed of three parts:  openings, middle game and endings. 

Endings are easiest to study imo, as there are basic principles that apply to a wide variety of variations that are invaluable to understand.  Openings are incredibly difficult (beyond getting used to 2 or 3 so you're handling them better than most and coming to know the basic principles of 'developing' your pieces, I think those are best left to Chess Masters to take seriously). 

Middle games, now that's where strategies come into play.  I suppose it comes down to 'pattern recognition'.  Applying a concept (such as you'll encounter again and again in this site's Learn / Tactics Trainer (and, it will list the strategies involved in each puzzle on completion) to a wide variety of similar circumstances becomes a useful skill to acquire.

Until your rating's approaching high A class (1800-2000), I predict most of your games will be determined by the simplest of obvious blunders and oversights (on both yours and your opponent's part).

sftac

Once you understand the concept of a knight fork (for example), the common theme will be opponents pieces on same color squares that can be connected by two L shapes. Your not going to remember every fork position possible, only learn to ability to see when it is possible.

Not sure where to start because i'm not sure what you mean by 'etc', but learn in order of the recommendations.
Opening Guidelines
Tactics
Endgames
Strategy
Opening Theory

Then Play, Analyse & Ask for feedback

Tactics repeat, although exact positions outside the openings and endgame rarely do, as you suggest. Strategy is the overall plan (naturally subject to change) from opening to endgame.

Study of tactics includes things like forks, pins, and skewers. I won't define these here; I'm pretty sure they're defined elsewhere on the site more precisely than I would manage in a posting.

Competitive chess players will also study openings, although that's not where I'd suggest you start, beyond the very basics.

I'd recommend you play a game with someone who's willing to spend some time afterward with you discussing what went well (for you and for them) and what didn't, and what opportunites were missed.

I would expect after that that you'd better understand both your own play and what types of study you might prioritise. Because, to improve, you will need to study and work.

If you have a local chess club, an in-person game might be best, but using a live or online game here is possible.

If by "average" you mean "average social chess player", well, there's a whole new world waiting for you, I promise. I run a "Novice Night" at my local chess club, and one of the people who showed up came because his housemates won't play him any more; he beats them all the time. He didn't win all his games at the club. Just sayin'.

I'd be willing to help you, but I'm on the other side of the world, so we don't have a really convenient time unless you have some mornings free.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

She just finished a game a few mins ago *checked the archive* Ruy lopez. I didn't learn much, since the opponents defense wasn't great, but clearly not lower than 1200.

Whoa, you guys reply really quickly!

Thank you for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it. No idea what you mean by GM average or novice. When I say average, I mean that I'm not bad because I can play ( I think) but, i'm not that great either >.< I've got a little notebook with all your advice written in bulletpoints :)

But, thank you once again! Erm, Mr Ollave I'd love to have some help and I'll message you or something, I don't know >.< We do have a chess club in school but, it's all the really good people there and I'm worried I'll feel too out-of-place because I'm the new girl in school. It's so weird being new.

And thanks again and, I already had a rating of 1200 when I joined for some reason.

Sorry Miss Jadarite, yeah.. I don't even know what I did. Sorry ._. I tend to just move things around in a game so like, oh! I can move my king there *moves* I don't really plan properly. I should probably change my average to below average T.T

Omg Mr Jadarite, I AM SO SORRY. I really am! >.< I am sincerely sorry.

Some people like that in a man Jad xD
Considering how quick those games went by and there was never really a tactical moment in the first (defender allows attacking lines, attack down them), I can understand Anni running on intuition.

Learn how to post a game into the forum, a game you felt confused on for example, then annotate it and post it. I'm sure you'll get some critiques, they always feel negative though... but really for our own good :P 

Wait, i know you'd think this sounds weird but, who is the defender? I don't really get anything. So, was it a good thing I ran on intuition? Kinda break this down to me, sorry x.x I'm thinking of buying a basic chess book ._. Je comprends rien T.T

How do you post a game in the forum and annotate it o.o

Oh, p.s. would you mind if I added like some of you because I would really like some nice friends :3 I'm pretty lively and funny? ;D I feel like a saleswoman.. Oh! I'm Anna btw, just randomly saying haha

I've sent a friend request

-To post a game, you see the chess-icon button in the task bar? (hover over it, it says insert position or game) -> click
-Select the option: Game or Sequence of moves
-Select 'use a pgn file', you now need to go get the PGN from the game you want (HOME -> GAME ARCHIVE -> VIEW -> GET PGN -> COPY/PASTE)

That's it on the basic level, you can select moves in the moves list and write your own comments etc, play around :) 

Thank you! I'll send a message once I find the emails inbox thing. And okay, i'll give that a look. Thank you :) This is a pretty awesome website mew o:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-analysis/how-to-post-a-game-for-analysis?ncc=1#first_new_comment

Let's play a game of chess, I think if you first 7 chess basics (there are many chess opening moves) can play to improve your chess game. I wish you a nice evening :)