There is a good discussion on how to improve by GM Avetik (founder of chessmood.com) in episode 410 of the Perpetual Chess podcast. At the end of the transcript of the podcast you will find pointers to several of his articles on chess improvement,, grouped into categories. I especially recommend the article "Start with Why" under the Mindset category.
You can also go directly to the articles at
//chessmood.com/blog/how-to-get-better-at-chess
didn't you say your goal was to get on the eSports team or something? I don't think Chess will help with that
You can get much better at Call of Duty just by playing. You learn the maps, equip your guns, improve your aim and game controls and so on just by playing. This method will not work for chess. It is a mental eSport and requires study and patience.
Here is a method (based on the chessmood.com method):
1. Study. For example, if you decide to play the London System opening as White, which GothamChess recommends for beginners, then study the London System lesson on chess.com.
2. Practice. After completing the lesson, then play the London System in games against bots (or practice partners). You should spend 2-4 hours on this step. Turn off your phone and TV and music, no social media ....
3. Fix. Review each of your practice games and understand what you did well and where you went wrong.
Now you are ready to play games that count with the London System as White. Before you start the game, spend a couple of minutes centering you mind on chess. Cellphone turned off, not TV, no background music. Calm and center your mind.
At your level, study might be learning the Opening Principles - control the center, develop your pieces, protect your King. So you would start with the chess.com lesson on opening principles.
Again, it isn't like playing COD or Apex, you have to put in the brainwork.
Elo is just a number—it doesn’t define your intelligence or character. Even the greatest players lose games regularly.
Yes. Even the strongest players are still human. Humans make mistakes.
Elo is just a number—it doesn’t define your intelligence or character. Even the greatest players lose games regularly.