Low Rating - Trying to improve

Hey there Chess.com,

I played a lot of chess when I was a child and I played very descent, I may say. A few days I signed up for Chess.com. I really like to play a few chess games a day, but I can't seem to improve. My score is +/- 700 (Live Chess) or so.

I'm looking for someone (around the same score) so we can help each other. Tactics/Telling each other whenever we make a bad move etc.

Preferably skype  (:

Looking forward to it

~Backslide

An online game, use the chat, can also be a nice setup: you get a slow time control and can discuss it as you go.  It also has the analysis board so you can pop that up and play both sides for a couple of turns to see if you can find any problems with the move you want to play.   I am higher than you asked for but if you want you can challenge me using that method.  Personally I think playing anyone under 1200 rating, or at the least 1000, is not helpful --- to me, the best way to learn is to be punished for your mistakes and players under 1200 will miss your mistakes, and if they do not see it, and you do not see it, nothing is learned.

basckslide, tactics trainer here is useful.

also, i suggest chess mentor.

Yes about learning from your games. It would help to get someone much higher rated to help annotate them with you. But it has to be the kind of player that can explain things in a simple, common sense way. I think positional players explain things better than tactical players if you're trying to find a good teacher.

backslide, try and post some games and then others can examine it. this is the most concrete way.

I'd be willing to help you. I'm rated 1500+, and I often analyze games with my dad (who is around 1200), so I have lots of experience with constructive criticism. (Saying what can be done to improve instead of what was done wrong) I also have a strong chess engine so I can be accurate in my advice. Feel free to send me a game challenge (unrated 3 day/move), or one of your previously played games, and I would love to help you with them.

It's kinda hard for me to imagine that you have problems improving on your own at this rating.

The thing is: When I first started and my rating was about 950 or so every single game was decided by who makes fewer blunders.

So it was very obvious that eliminating blunders alone would be a huge step into the right direction.

At 700-level it most likely is even moreso the case.

So my advice would be very simple: Learn to avoid blunders.

The best teacher is yourself. Try to undestand why you lost a game, what was your wrong and dont do it the next time. Just try to have a plan and imagination on your game.  

I would sugges several Unrated games and they are Online games not in LIve Chess. Buy a book on Mating Patterns or look up some for free either way that should bring you to 1000 easy.

Tactic, tactics and tactics will bring you over 1200 in Online Chess the more you know the better. Live Chess shold be played till you can consistantly win games. Else you will get into the worse habit for a Novice. "Making many pointless moves".  Try to mave each and every move count towards a goal.