How to Improve Rating

Rating is a number that is relative to others' playing strength. The higher the number, the stronger you are compared to others.

Magnus Carlsen has a Lichess bullet rating of over 3000. Most GMs have a Blitz or Rapid rating of over 2500.

Anything over 2400 is considered formidable, but I am only saying that as I belong in that class. To you, a 1600 player may be difficult to defeat. I remember those days - I was once a 1400.

Nevertheless, here are some ways to improve your rating, depending on your playing class.

Below 1200

Calculational basics precede everything and give you a decisive edge:

• Captures. At this level I have seen that no one calculates whether a series of captures (known as re-captures) will end up succeeding. If you have more attackers on a square than they have defenders, you will end up with one of your pieces there if you decide to take.
• When in check, look to see if you can capture or block against the checking piece. Simply running away may not always be the best answer.
• Scholar's mate. It's unnecessary to drag the game on with a quiet opening when your opponent doesn't know how to secure his weakest point (f2 or f7) in the opening.

1200 to 1600

Checkmating the king is becoming harder to achieve unless you practice the following:

• Forks, Pins and Sacrifice puzzles on Lichess. These opportunities pop up like Whack-a-Mole - except you won't miss when the time comes. Ten minutes of each (so thirty minutes in total) will suffice daily.
• Capablanca's Chess Fundamentals. This was my first chess book. I learned how to play the Four Knights, but I also discovered special checkmating patterns, such as the box mate on a castled king.
• Wikipedia's "Checkmate Patterns". There are just under forty in total. Aim for one a day, and Google puzzles based on your chosen mate.

1600 to 2000

Now that you know how to play chess, it is time to add some positional understanding and advanced tactics to your repertoire.

• Skewers, Discovered Checks and Double Checks. These are special moves that gain time; in other words, the other person loses a turn.
• Loose Pieces Drop Off (LPDO). Credit to NM Dan Heisman for coming up with this groundbreaking methodology. Whenever you see a piece that's loose or poorly defended, strategy is set aside and all play must be against the target. Reaching endgames are rare; if you get to this point, queen a pawn.
• Art of Attack by Vladimir Vukovic. I learned how to sacrifice pieces against a king in the middle and the famous Greek Gift Sacrifice. These techniques will make you a formidable force at this level.

2000+

It is time to add defensive techniques to your skillset. If you find you are reaching a losing position, hold it and wait for your opponent to make a mistake. The following are essential to counterattack:

• Hanging Piece Puzzles. No longer do players just randomly leave pieces under the christmas tree for the recipient: Some are laced with a trap. If you take the piece, you must prevent the opponent's counterchances and ensure he or she has no forcing variations afterward.
• My 60 Memorable Games by Bobby Fischer. I've re-read this book several times. The analysis is lengthy, but if you ever want to hit 2200+, the work is there. Read the analysis WITHOUT MOVING THE PIECES.
• My System by Nimzowitsch. I learned about the blockade which has saved me half a point numerous times, and in some occasions flipped the tables. I also learned about when the Bg4 should pin a Nf3.

2200+

Endgames are common at this level.

• Endgame Strategy by Mikhail Shereshevsky. Thanks to NM @ThunderClap I now no longer hurry my endings after reading the book, and handle the transition to an end more smoothly. I am patient and no longer overthink my endings. I stick to one logical plan, and tactics are there only when the opponent makes a mistake or blunders (instead of LPDO). This book is required reading.
• Healthy Mix of Puzzles on Lichess. Now that we have several techniques under our belt, we will automatically be introduced to less common but critical situations, especially advanced pawn puzzles. When you see a passed pawn, create a railroad for the choo-choo!
• Mental Mastery. One has to distinguish between the opening, middle and end during a game, and adjust their outlook accordingly. You cannot play with an attacking mindset in the endgame, and patience takes over. Playing classical (long) games develops this ability.

By concentrating your efforts on only a few skills at a time, your chance of development is the greatest. It is better to build a deep pond than a shallow ocean, because the water is less likely to evaporate.

Good luck,

Mr. Calderon

“You don’t set out to build a wall. You don't say ‘I’m going to build the biggest, baddest, greatest wall that’s ever been built.’ You don’t start there. You say, ‘I’m going to lay this brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid.’ You do that every single day. And soon you have a wall.” ~ Will Smith

I like the Will Smith quote as it fits quite nicely for learning chess. Another tip I give to new players is

Attempt to play longer games to establish where your game needs improvements. 20/30/60 minute timers instead of short bullet or blitz games. You'll learn more not only about your game, but the game in general with so much extra time to think about all the possible outcomes of your opponents and your moves.

Every chess master was once a beginner.

As a beginner I would avoid blitz and bullet didn't exist. My favorite time control was 15+0. It taught me a lot of opening traps.

To improve your middlegame I would certainly play longer time controls or sit at a board and analyze a critical position.

@DragonBlunder

Everything was quite good, I will only add that Endgame Strategy could be in the 2000 rating, because I experienced how easy was to win endgames in that level. At this point the openings are becoming lil bit more important, but still, the most important thing is the positional understanding.

k........ @MrCalderon some 2000s (in bullet) fall for the greek gift.

@Ayushman_C The shorter the time control, the more inflated the rating. For bullet, shift everything up by 400 rating points.

I need improvement too

@Sanda-bjksatranc Read your section and apply the instructions.

Ok @MrCalderon

@MrCalderon
In short, if anyone can master thematic puzzles, then one can become GM by applying them in games. (Nothing extra work is essential to improve, though it would help but without it one can still be complete player.)
Sorry for summarising what you said in one sentence!
"Chess is 99% tactics" ~ Richard Teichmann