rating increase

as well as maybe the thinking process

Opening Principles:

1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5
2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key
3. Castle
4. Connect your rooks

Tactics...tactics...tactics...

Pre-Move Checklist:

1. Make sure all your pieces are safe. 
2. Look for forcing move: Checks, captures, threats. You want to look at ALL forcing moves (even the bad ones) this will force you look at and see the entire board. 
3. If there are no forcing moves, you then want to remove any of your opponent’s pieces from your side of the board. 
4. If your opponent doesn’t have any of his pieces on your side of the board, then you want to improve the position of your least active piece. 
5. After each move by your opponent, ask yourself: "What is my opponent trying to do?"

Hey guys I have played 7533 games. with a rating of 1324. I realized this morning after winning a couple games, that my rating start increasing by a very small amount. like +4, +3....etc. It used to increase by +7, +8, +9, +10....etc. Can someone please explain this to me? I don't understand.