Wow, thanks likesforests, I'll take that on-board. Your support and advice is really appreciated. I also received some great advice from (I think the name is) zenchess.  You both really help.

As far as walking into mate, I know, after re-playing the games, again and again, I realise I'm getting  so caught up in playing "my own" game, rather than the game with the opponent. This is what I seem to be doing along with moving without proper consideration - perhaps these are my main flaws.

I will take all this on-baord and see how things go. I'll report back soon.

 

Hi Wayne,

 

I'm glad you're reading about opening principles and trying to take your time, but as you suspect there's more you can do if you want to improve a bit faster.

 

In 2 out of your last 3 losses you walked into mate. Perhaps if you played slower, you wouldn't have lost that way, but honestly, even at blitz speeds it's rare for me to walk into mate. I smell mate and sidestep it instinctively.

 

Consider studying mating patterns. I can recommend any one of these three resources: Convekta's Chess Tactics for Beginners, Milos' Personal Chess Trainer, and Polgar's "Chess: 5334 Problems, Combination, and Games".

 

After studying about 100 mate-in-one and 200 mate-in-two positions you'll spot  basic mates very quickly in your games. And "studying" simply means playing through them a few times so you can remember them.  I often "study" them with some good music and the time passed very quickly--chess shouldn't be a chore.

Actually, all the resources I listed go beyond teaching mating patterns... they will teach you other tactics you'll find useful in your games. As far as going from 1400 to 1600 on chess.com within a year I think that's very achievable. 

Hmmm, I have seriously gone backwards in my scoring. Whilst I'm feeling comfortable - to some extent - of my opening game, I seem to be unable to avoid this HABIT (and yes, yelling the word) of moving before thinking.

There's got to be something more. Until I can psycho-anlalyse myself about this jumping before looking problem, I have to abide by at least one rule:

Rule 1: Only make one move per loggon session.

I really believe that I need to break the  habit of this compulsive moving with out adequate aforethought.

So that's it then. I have to apologise folks that want a continuous game - which I admit I certainly enjoy however, I must train myself to think first and once the habit's broken, I'll be more comfortable to progress to more "real" on-line games.

Currently only mid-1300's. DOH!

 

I've been putting this tried and tested opening game methodology into practice and it seems to have actually improved my game - a little; I'm hovering around the 1400's level now.

My score level still suffers considerably because I'm still making moves to quickly - with out thinking beforehand and therefore dropping important pieces. This is my next objective - eliminate this "fast move" habit. Not to mention that it seems when I win a game I jump only about 6 points but when I lose one, I plummet 20+ points.

There is also another book on opening game tactics that describes inovative and surprising moves for the opening. This is on order now and I hope to receive it in the next week or so.

Hopefully, in the next blurb, I'll be reporting that I'm in the mid to high 1400's

Righteo, I've now read a little on opening games. Fairly basic (in theory), so as I understand, the idea is to "simply" control the centre four squares (theoretically advantagous):

1. Ideally, start with the KP+2 and/or QP+2

2. Develop as many of the stronger pieces as soon as possible. 

 3. Generally, it is better to mobilise the Knight(s) towards the centre before the Bishops, e.g KN to KB3, QN to QB3, then KB to Q3 or QB4, QB to K3 or KB4...

4. Avoid wasting moves, i.e. excessive pawn advancement and moving one piece too often.

5. Avoid early Queen development 

6. Castle early to protect the King

So, now armed with all this, I'll see how things go. Can't be too hard right! All in all, things going well in the opening game, should lead to nicely placed pieces for the middle game. After all, it makes sense to mobilise the army to the fullest for the most advantage.

 I'll report back on how I've gone.

 

Finally took delivery of a couple of a couple of books, "Three Steps to Chess Mastery", by A.S.Suetin, and "How to Play the Middle Game in Chess", by JE Littlewood. Took delivery also, of my beautiful new chess set; nicely hand-carved ebony and white maple pieces in the "Lotus" style (what-ever that is) and the board is mahogany and white maple highly polished - stunning. Can't wait to sit down with someone and play a few games on it.

 

Having read and re-read various parts of these books, I have a little better understanding (and I have to emphasise the word 'little') of applying some basic strategy and incorporating various tactics. Obvously, still a very long way to go.

 

I suspect I need a much better understanding and focus of the Opening game; a sound set up to the rest of the game.  In logical progression, I will continue to read and study openings, and when I'm happy with the opening games (if that's a possibility), I'll then move onto reading and studying middle games, then end games.

Well, I've managed to find a few cheap books on ebay; based on middle games. Just waiting (eagerly) for them to be delivered over the next week or so.

I guess it's too much to expect that after reading a book or two I will somehow and mysteriously be significantly improved in playing. Here's hoping but I know it can't simply work like that however, I have to start somewhere.

I've found a web site in the US that offers online training and stuff for a pretty cheap rate per month. I'll consider this, if necessary, after a few months of reading and practice with you folk out there.

Presently, I'm managing to maintain (give or take) low to mid 1300 scores. Let's see how this evolves after practise and reading these books.

 Fingers' crossed - again.