Chess Improvement

Originally posted by wormwood
basic opening priciples:

1) fast development. get all your pieces out as fast as possible, preferably with a threat if possible.

2) occupy center.

3) castle early.

4) do NOT move queen out early (even if it worked for white here, it usually doesn't)



but it's very clear that tactics is what you should use most of your time for now. ...[text shortened]... dropping. do tactical problems every day, and you'll stop dropping those pieces that easily.

These are all good basic rules - but don't forget that there is no set rule in chess, sometimes they need to be broken. Considering your rating right now I'd recommend you stick to the rules wormwood has given.