Tips for 1000-1400 rated players

Just wondering if their is anything specific i should be doing in order to advance and learn faster.

Ill have to disagree with Brandon here, beginners should get more familiar with positional play, which is indeed a mystery among amateurs, and try to understand the key principles of the opening. Tactics are also important, but you cant win every game using only tactical combinations and getting material advantage/mating the king, you must learn how to create a win where a position "seems" equal through key imbalances such as space, development or minor pieces. I'd suggest you, read some chess books by Jeremy Silman, very easy to read and understand, youll improve eventually.

chessfox.com

Try their Blunder prevention program, and then their 10 day course.

Tactics, just as Brandon said. First learn how not to drop your own pieces and steal your opponent's. Then it's time to try to understand concepts as gaining space, outposts, minority attack etc etc.

Work on eliminating/reducing making elementary blunders. Solve tactics problem everyday.Learn some positional ideas appropriate for your level. I suggest you get Chess Strategy for Kids by Coakley. This books is also usefull for adults. That Coakley book,in my opinion, is a wonderfull book for your level.

I've identified my issue.  Its not so much blunders. I have some games (I play 45/45 slow chess) where I don't think I really blunder but then with a 3 point lead in the endgame I will blunder away a promoted pawn which recently happened to me.  I have GOT to pay more mind in endgames.  I had a full 25 minutes to burn staring at the board too.  I want to slap myself.  Chess is really really intense when you get to the edges of your ability.  I KNOW I can beat the 1400s here one day. 8)

Endgames-- get Silman's book on endgames.  Endgames have their own special rules.  Work on K+P and R+P endgames which are the most common.

An understanding of endgame theory will be very helpul you in the middle game.  It has helped to turn around a lost game several times to a draw.  You would be surprised how many higher level players don't bother to study it, and it will give you a significant edge.

cdowis75: I'll try that one.  I have "How to beat your dad at chess" which is a great endgame puzzlish format book.

PURE TACTICS!  Why does a new thread have to be opened on this all the time.  There are a 1000 posts on this topic just search it.