Same thing here, and I'm sure that if I had a more consistent thinking process I would lose less games. But it's not only about avoiding blunders, it's also about punishing the mistakes of the opponents. In this point, tactics puzzles are great.
"to learn tactics do i just need to do puzzles here or chesstempo ?"
I guess so, considering that you know all the tactical motifs.
My experience I speak of, learn pawn formation and where pieces go with those formation. Learn to spot weak squares and hammer them. See this game I play, I hammer dark square and lead to checkmate. The tactic of this easy to spot because I know where the pieces must be. I work on these ideas now for some time and see much better understanding and improvement.
I am 73 years old and cannot remember one time when I had to play a bishop and knight checkmate.
oreochess91, you need a strong player to go over your games to see what are your weak points and then go from there.
From practical point you are right although it's emberassing when it happens but the point is to understand how pieces are cooperating and this task is good for it. And in general advantage conversion puzzles are good. For example Queen vs Knight is simple but if you play it first time and under time pressure then it's not so simple.
My experience I speak of, learn pawn formation and where pieces go with those formation. Learn to spot weak squares and hammer them. See this game I play, I hammer dark square and lead to checkmate. The tactic of this easy to spot because I know where the pieces must be. I work on these ideas now for some time and see much better understanding and improvement.
this seems like a very good idea to do, thx. is there anywhere that i can learn these pawn formations and their plans, a certain website? or book?
Oreo 1900 would be strong enough to show you many of your errors.
Of course the higher rating the better.
thanks ponz in that case i know someone locally who would be able to help, instead of me having to shell out 100 bucks an hour for on of the coaches here
Usually mistakes are vivid like simple blunder for example or wrong plan. Computers can help nowadays very much. Teachers can help with opening or suggest how to eliminate weaknesses but this help should be constant. I don't think advices like control the center or develop pieces can help much.
Hans Kmoch has book called Pawn Power in Chess and newer one of Andrew Soltis Pawn Structure Chess may be help for you oreochess91.
thanks ponz in that case i know someone locally who would be able to help, instead of me having to shell out 100 bucks an hour for on of the coaches here
OK but! If you have friend or other chess player and have a group lesson would be cheaper and more possible for many. Depend who but some coach cheaper than other. I see good coach do teaches for USD $20 for hour example for you. OK now you get another player and only $10 each and you afford lessons more! Just idea.
Here's a database of coaches, probably some of them are near you:
http://www.chess.com/coaches
I don't think you need a titled player as a coach, he just should be significantly better than you and know how to teach chess.