Try doing the daily puzzles & tactics trainer. They help you see the board clearer.

Look at the "book openings" under the "learn" tab. Find a good opening, One that works with your playing style. That's going to be trial & error.

Watch the free videos under the "fun" tab. There are some good instructional vids, especially jrobi's.

Read the articles. They show you some games by GMs, IMs & give pretty good commentary. More than that you can see how they open their games, both white & black. "Openings" are the first 3 - 5 moves. That's if you didn't already know.

Most of all, KEEP PLAYING! You have to take your licks in order to get better. Practically everyone that plays has a war story and battle scars that got them where they are now! The best of the best get beaten bad every now & then. Watch & remember what your opponent does to you. Try to incorporate those things into your game. You'll get there.

I'm surprised all of those people read your post & didnt say a word! I guess they don't want you to get better so they have one more person to beat up on! Either that or they don't feel like they have enough skills to teach anyone anything... Well I'll be more than happy to play with you & show you some things! We can learn together. I'm not that good, but I do know something.

Oh yea, you could buy some books?!?!