What does it take to play at a 1400 level?

Hmm I think there's a slight error there -- based on how you describe each level you seem to have confused 900-1100 with 1900-2100 and 1200-1300 with 2200-2300 etc

For example I'm 1900 (on this site anyway :p) and the description that best fits me is the first one, although I probably do make too many... as for mastering tactics and a great endgame you'd probably have to go higher than 2600 even.

My rating bounces between 1950 and 2100, mostly because I make egregious blunders. These stem from playing too many games, making moves too late at night, too early in the morning, or without any calculation.

Also I guess I didn't answer the question...

1400 USCF rating would mean being familiar with basic tactics, know the 2-4 main openings you play about 5 moves deep and just concentrating hard on each game looking for those 2, 3, 4 move tactical shots.  Also basic endgames like KvsP , that opposite bishops in the ending are very drawish , basic K+R endgame principals (rook activity is #1 priority, rooks like to be behind passed pawns friendly or enemy, etc) , some K+P knowledge like protected passer holding back a king , square of the pawn , that stuff.

Positional things a player would know would be that doubled, backward, and isolated pawns are generally weak.  Opening is about quick development,  Center control is important, king safety means don't moves pawns in front of castled area, and rooks go on open or half open files (and maybe some more depending on what you've read or studied but this is basically it IMO).

I'm in the upper 1200s starting from the low 1100s. Even 1400 seems a ways for me still!

What do you guys recommend for 1) getting better at calculation (a bunch of tactics seems to be about moving pieces around in your head), and 2) how to avoid becoming demoralized after blundering a piece away?

Great topic. 1400 is my goal at the moment.

Help me analyze it