I stink...

Ok, so I've known how the chess pieces move for a long time, but only recently really decided to try to learn how to play.  I picked up Chess for Dummies and I've read most of it, and I try to play on here as much as I'm able.  I have difficulty memorizing openings and rarely am able to visualize tactics.  Is there any one specific aspect I should be focusing on trying to get good at or something?  I'm just looking for any advice that anyone has on how to improve other than just playing (and losing) over and over again.

Thanks in advance.

Tactics are your friend.  Especially for a beginner.  I have a good bit of playing experience and I still have weaknesses in the tactics department.  I promise you, tactics will improve your game exponentially.  Study as much tactics as you can.  Don't worry too much about openings just yet.  At the most as a beginner, I would just look over some openings to see the basic moves and set ups of the positions.  I reached an 1800+ rating OTB before ever seriously looking at an opening.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Since you recently got back into the game, it might take some time to get it right. Don't expect a miracle. Be patient. 

If you would like to practise openings etc, feel free to challenge me in an unrated game any number of times. I'll be glad to help you out in any way possible. 

That and the Openings Database on this site will be quite useful. Grab hold to one opening at  a time and take time in mastering it :)

On openings, just learn the few basic principles of opening play that your book probably gives you.  I am learning the hard way that tactics are where it is at.

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I was reading this link and have another question.  How do you bring up the Analysis board when playing on here?  I've seen it when playing live, but not when playing the regular way...

you just need to practice lots and then the openings and tactics will come naturally because you will become more familiar with the game

penncon> I have difficulty memorizing openings

The reason you have trouble memorizing opening lines is because you don't understand basic opening principles. Forget memorization for now--that's the last thing a chess.com 900 should be working on.

penncon> and rarely am able to visualize tactics.

Well, how many hours this week did you spend practicing your tactics? Caissa only bestows tactical prowess upon those who sacrifice. Although, tactical study can be fun with the right training tools, eg Chessmaster.  :)

But lets assume you have zero tactical accumen. You should still be able to make 1100-1200 by simply taking the time to examine checks and captures for you and your opponent every move. Let me see one of your games...

click on the Moves tab (the tabs are above the chat area beside the board) and then click on the Analysis Board

Playing up is good, but maybe in most games aim for opponents within 400 elo of your rating so you have a chance and learn lessons appropriate to your level. Here's a close look at one of your losses to a 1200:

I think that tactics and playing games are the best areas to focus for beginners.  During your games focusing on opening principals and identifying and capitalizing on tactical motifs (and preventing the same against you) will probably keep you busy (and improving) for quit a while.

Once you start to progress, adding in some endgame study will help you immensely, and building some awareness positional considerations should help your game along.  These two areas should help you to recognize when a middle game can and should be simplified down to a winning end-game, and how to win the end-game once you're there.

Book openings, as opposed to simply understanding opening principals, can probably stay off of your radar screen for some time.  In the mean time, find a couple that you're comfortable with applying the principals to and stick with them -- establishing a repertoire can wait.  When the time does come, be sure you're focusing on the why as opposed to the how.

One thing that you can do to really improve your game is buy and read the book "Bobby Fischer teaches chess". It is a great book that is mainly diagrams that help you find "mate in 1, mate in 2, sac a piece to set up mate, etc". Before I read the book I had a hard time staying in the 1300 range and after I have been climbing the ladder pretty consistently. I found the book on Amazon for about 5 bucks. 

Also, in my opinion the analysis board is not a good idea to use. It gives you a crutch to lean on. Don't use it and work on developing moves in your head. You don't have an analysis board in any type of live chess.

1.Tactics, tactics, tactics. (a software program like "Chess Tactics for
Beginners" by ChessAssistant is good. ChessMaster is a good program for practice. Chess.com lets you do three tactics problem every 24 hours.

2. Learn notation and keep a record of your games. Then go over them yourself, or with a stronger player and see where you went wrong. (or right)

3. Next, study endgame theory. If you get through the opening and middle game and don't know what to do after that, then you will lose anyway.

Play lots of games.  And study tactical patterns. 

Do you have an Xbox. the first one, not the 360.  there is a great game for the xbox called chessmaster.  it has a complete tutorial by Josh Waitzkin, you know, the kid portrayed in Searcing for Bobby Fischer. anyway, it is really really really good. it helps me immensly.  and it has a bunch of annotated games to study, and it has a complete database of openings that it plays out for  you to study.

Honestly, though, don't get mired in opening study -- learn one or two that you like and can consistently apply opening principles to in order to get through to an equal middle game.  Right now your time is far better spent on tactics -- both applying them and preventing them being applied against you.  The time for detailed book opening study will come much later.

Capture a good player and force him/her to start with half his or her bits missing. As you improve, the captured individual can be allowed more bits. If the captured individual is willing to speak enthusiastically and endlessly on all aspects of chess you will do well.

use the analysis board to calculate exchanges and check out what your opponent can do after your proposed move.

hahah for me i dont memorize openings from the book i instead understand them carefully, now from understanding and carefully studying you can relate your knowledge to your future game.... little by little youll improve!

I'd actually recommend against the use of the analysis board.  You don't get one in an OTB game, so try not to allow it to become a crutch by overusing it here.