I am a very poor player.  I can't seem to beat level 5 on the computer.  Does anyone have advice on how to improve?

The 1200 hump, as it is commonly referred to in Chess, is the sport's greatest obstacle.

Achieving this rating is the equivalent of graduating from an Ivy league School. No, it does not yet mean that you have mastered this pastime of intuition and pattern recognition. It does on the other hand suggest that you are well on your way to achieve such accomplishments. 

In other words by attaining the rating of 1200, you can claim the title of being a Chess expert, and deservedly so. The mark of 1200 separates the casuals from the serious. It is the dividing line between the average and the exemplary. 

I write this today because I want to address Chess.com's peculiar approach to rating new users. Many of you know that upon opening a Chess.com account, one is immediately gifted the rating of 1200. This means that every new user is recognized as an expert. Of course most of these users end up going below the 1200 mark and lose the title almost immediately, after all they are beginners and not used to such high level Chess. Does anybody know why Chess.com has chosen 1200 as a starting point? After all it's not just an arbitrary number. 

When I reached this point, I actually felt that I was winning a lot and my defense has gotten so much better. I also reached the point where I just felt like quitting early on when I could beat those who are above 500. Then, I kept learning from my mistakes and strengthen my defense. Feels good indeed to reach this point. My next goal is to reach 2000  in 6 months Can't wait to reach this milestone.

wrong. the first hump is 2000. i am not there yet but i am underrated.  (probably like 1950ish)

Suggestion: Interchange the "1" and the "2".

If we're talking K-3 scholastic sections, 1200 is pretty strong but "expert" is not the right term. Or replace "expert" with "advanced beginner". It would be more than a bit misleading to say 1200 is "halfway to grandmaster level". 1200 is entry-level in adult tournaments and the study and playing experience involved to progress at the expert and master levels dwarfs the class rankings. It's like saying that taking a summer internship at a corporation is almost halfway to CEO.

We talked about small hump....the first medium one (not for you but for most) is 1600 (a minority get there).

Good luck with your goals!

im 1200 now and im better than anyone i personally know . i would consider that an expert if you think about it . cheers!

wrong. the first hump is 2000. i am not there yet but i am underrated.  (probably like 1950ish)