Improving my play

I have been a causal player for alongtime with spurts of seriousness. I now have some time to dedicate to getting better. I have been working through The Complete Book of Chess Stragety by Jeremy Silman, will be going through his Complete Endgame Course, and hava copy of MCO to learn openings. My question is this: Will all this study eventually work intelf into my game? So far I seem to still have trouble with solid openings for White. I used to aways play Black so I feel slightly better with defenses. Any additional books to recommend or tips for inmproving my game through better understanding?

I have all of those books and frankly they're not ideal.  Silman's Complete Book of Strategy is more chess encyclopedia than textbook and his endgame is specifically designed to be studied a little at a time.  Oh and MCO is nearly useless with the easy availability of databases and opening books that actually explain stuff (FCO).  Other than that they're all fine.  Master their content and you'll be on your way!  Here's Coach Heisman's list:

http://www.danheisman.com/Events_Books/General_Book_Guide.htm

Thanks for the book list. I will look into them, ut in addition to reading and working through books what else could I be doing to improve? Playing more or playing less while studying? Only using one opening for a while before going to another one? I would love to play OTB, but there aren't any places close to me.

Heisman says you need a balance between study, play, and game review.  Locking yourself away for some monastic study routine will only get you so far.  Playing dozens of games a day without review is of course the other end of the scale.  Everyone has to find their own balance.  Choose to play a reasonably consistent opening starting with the simple decision e4 or d4.  Your opponents won't let you get deep into theory anyway.  Have you looked at the study plans?  There are some very specific recommendations for improvement probably better than you'll get here.  

https://www.chess.com/article/view/study-plan-directory

Reviewing Masters games from annotated game collection book like Chess Informant 1000 Best of the Best will improve your game. If you prefer electronic database, Fritz 15 have 1.5M games.

Depends...

How much time do you have dedicated to study?

How serious are you about improvement?

What is your defintion of "improvement"?

If your just talking about casual chess improvement, then your plan will be fine.

If youre wanting to get involved in tournament play, then you will need a more structured, well rounded study plan.

I have roughly 4-6 hours a week for study and play. I wish to improve my rating by 200+ points, I do wish to enter tournaments in the future when I feel comforatble enough with my compentency. I have used some, but not all resources here.

tactics...tactics...tactics...

Opening Principles:

Control the center.

Develop minor pieces toward the center.

Castle.

Connect your rooks.

Basic Endgames:

KQ vs. K

KR vs. K

KRR vs. K

K+P endings, key squares, opposition.

Those 4-6 hours / week i recomment you to split in 2 days, it will be much better if you double that time. And follow diakonia post.

Dont waste time reading books that are not for you. At your level you dont need opening or strategy. You need tactics, study them unil you finally are ok not hanging pieces and recognizing patterns, sacs, checkmate ideas., forks  and all others.

Tactics and Endgames it is. I will try and carve out more time. Thanks to everyone who has replied thus far. I look forward to more.

video lessons / over the board with coach or book. But Chess Mentor and Tactic Trainer is best way.

hi

I adore endgame study, but I do think it's vastly overrated for players under 1700. 

THe vast majority of my games as a sub1700 are decided well before the late endgame. Late middlegame is where most of the decisive action occurs - it's actually frustrating for me to see how little I get to use my endgame knowledge at my level.

For sure though, at the stronger levels, the games are more equal with less positional (or tactical) blunders, and then the endgame rises in importance. 

I do agree with you, and like you i love end games, studying them, etc.  I dont think its vastly overrated.  Yes its not as important, but its still vital to know.

But i also think it is very important to get a basic understanding of end games.  

Just having an outlet for questions and advice are awesome.

if you ever have a question feel free to PM me.

Thanks Diakonia