I'm bad too. But I've bought a book about openings and currently I'm trying to learn and use them properly. Hope that'll help. I'd strongly suggest you to learn some openings (not just one or two) for white and black. Buy a book, or look for some on the internet.
Tips for Chess Improvement...?
Guys at these level opening should not be your concern,just learn the general ideas like center control, don't ove your queen to early unless you have good reason, castle unless you have a good reason not to do so, develop your piece,put your rook on open files..
The key to getting good at chess is to study endgames, positional play and tactics, and of course play a lot. Chess is great, if one will learn these things, he/she will appreciate chess more and improve his/her play as well.
Why do we need to study tactics?
At below master level the common reason for defeats are blunders. Sample of these blunders are losing your piece without getting something in return, or you did not notice you will be mated in a few moves, but you failed to see the right defensive moves. Often at below master level players fails to recognize opportunity to gain material advantage or mate by tactical means .Studying tactics helps lessen your blunder and improves your tactical skills. Sample of chess tactics are pin, fork and skewer.
http://www.usefulchess.com/tactics/forkpin.htm
http://chess.about.com/od/tipsforbeginners/ss/BasicCheckmates_10.htm
http://www.chesstempo.com
Why do we need to study positional play?
Often times at below master level, player does not know what to do on a given position. If you study the positional features of chess, you will have a guide on what to do in many situations. Sample of this positional concept is a bad bishop. A bad bishop is a bishop that lacks mobility. Below is sample of how rooks can be effetive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_file
Why do we need to study endgame?
Endgame is period in chess in which you can now bring out your king, because it is already safe from threats. It is no use if you have a rook and king against a lone king, if you don't know how to mate with it. Or it is no use if you have an extra pawn (and the position is winning) if you can't convert it to a win. Improving endgame skills is very important in chess. At below master level many positions that should be a win turned into a draw or defeat because of poor endgame skills.
http://www.usefulchess.com/tactics/basicmates.htm
Now where would you learn these chess concepts? You can learn it from books, online tutorials or a chess coach, I prefer books. Remember playing a lot is not enough to improve, you must also study chess. If you want to practice want you learned from books, you can try registering at chess.com. It's better to play human than computers, also chess improvement takes time.
glaashart, i looked at a couple of your games, and you seem to favor an aggressive attacking style. However currently you do not have the tactical vision to back it up. In all your games i saw, you missed key tactical shots that your opponent had, and you tended to go on the attack before your pieces were properly developed. In one game i saw, you led with a bishop pin on the opponent's knight, then gave up your bishop pair unprovoked!
A good opening book will probably help you; i am talking about a book that goes over many openings in general, rather than a book that focuses on a specific opening. They will often include ideas for each opening that you should know about, and once you have successfully navigated through that part of the game and finished development, then would be the time to launch an attack.
Guys at these level opening should not be your concern,just learn the general ideas like center control, don't ove your queen to early unless you have good reason, castle unless you have a good reason not to do so, develop your piece,put your rook on open files..
Perfectly said. For beginning players there should be more focus on following basic principles rather than worrying about establishing an extensive opening repertoire. Piece development and center control should always be a top priority with an emphasis on not getting the queen out too early. Once you believe you have a firm grip on these fundamentals then you can work on your opening repertoire.
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I've been stuck at a 900 rating and I've bene having some trouble getting any better. I am particularly struggling on my opennings. Help?