Thanks for the advice both. I did read it at the time. I forgot about learning opening theory and concentrated on sound opening theory. Like this...
1) Develop my pieces before attacking.
2) Get the knights out generally before the bishops.
3) Get the rooks in the centre of the board.
4) Get the queen on the same line as the opposite king.
My results have fluctuated. I was up as high as +200 points since my first post here. Down as low as -100 points since my first post.
Since I post I've played 685 games and improved my rating by +28
Here are my stats:
Highest: 1200 (Aug 19, 2014)
Best Win: 1066 (danilo1988)
Avg. Opp.: 671
Total Games: 2,466 (1,196 W/ 1,235 L / 35 D)
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I've heard there is similarity between chess and poker but I am really seeing that for myself lately. For instance, I like playing really quick in my games (moving within a second or so) but of course this doesn't allow for full thinking. Why do I like doing that? It just feels good and is like an ego battle with the opponent who usually trys to move just as quick and then you pick off a blunder.
Like poker - what feels good (perhaps playing LAG, and or getting emotionally involved) is not the correct winning strategy (for most people).
Over the next while I'm going to slow my games down and really work hard on increasing my rating. I'll next post in here when I hit a rating of 900.
Hopefully this will not be my last post in this thread then!