Joining a chess club would definitely help a lot.
Slow progress
Sort:
Well, what is holding you back right now? Analyzing your recent games, can you identify recurring weaknesses or mistakes? If you can't tell what your problems are it will be hard to improve...
Analyzing together with a stronger player would be a good way to go if you can't find out yourself. And a club could be a good place to look for such a support 
Jan 5, 2014
0
#4
Thanks guys! Well apart from the occasional howler when i hang my queen, i think my issue is king defence and not spotting an mating threat - especially when planning an attack of my own. Maybe i should just do the chess mentor lessons focused on this, rather than slogging through every single one. Think i will give the club a go, rather than waiting until i am 'good enough'
I used to play against the computer on shredder but since i discovered chess.com and got platinum I've been playing 30 min chess against real people a few times a day for several months now as well as chess mentor, but i just seem to be settling around 1080 or so. My chess mentor rating is 1700 and i get all the hard puzzles! I set myself a goal of hitting 1300 by the end of 2014 - is this realistic? Will going to a club help?