@SROOSEVELT 1. No blitz, no bullet. Standard Rapid and classical help with deeper calcuation and evaluation skills, while you are likely to make mistakes in time pressure.
2. No puzzle storm or racer. This is the puzzle equivalent of blitz or bullet- it may be fun, but against the clock you are compromising on your calculation. Intuition needs to be developed with time and patience. Slow and steady wins the race. Do 5-10 puzzles every day as a warm up before playing.
3. Pick a beginner-friendly opening and stick to it. I may or may not be considered a beginner (Top Rapid rating on old account- 1730) but I still just respond to e4 with e5, d4 with d5 as Black and I play e4 as White. Don't learn too much theory, and focus on the main opening principles (controlling the center, developing minor pieces, castling the king)
4. In the middlegame, watch out for simple blunders (hanging pieces, missing easy checkmates.) Eliminating frequent tactical blunders can get you to about 1500 on this site. Before every move, check for Checks, Captures, and Threats for both sides (CCT.)
5. Learn basic checkmating sequences and practice so you can apply it in real games. Advantages mean nothing unless you can be resourceful and use it to win the game. When you get a little better, study basic endgame motifs, so you know what to do in certain types of positions.
6. After every game you play, analyze the game to look for your strengths and weaknesses. Annotate for both sides using the Study feature and figure out what went wrong and how it could be improved. Check your analysis with Stockfish afterwards, and finally take it to a player stronger than yourself. Contrast their thinking and your thinking to learn how to process positions.
7. Watch chess videos on YouTube or Twitch to assist you with the above. Make sure the channel or stream you watch is instructive, giving informative commentary and not just playing casual ultrabullet to entertain fans. Take notes to help you process the information. Examples of helpful channels include Hagning Pawns, ChessCoachAndras, St Louis Chess Club, GothamChess, and ChessTalk (YouTube) and many different Twitch streamers that I don't know much about, but I'm sure there are many more. Pick one and stick to it.
8. Connect with other chess players via Teams, social media, or in person, who aim to improve. When you feel like you aren't alone in your desire to improve, it will motivate you to practice seriously. You may also find training partners or coaches in clubs, as well as competitive opportunities for tournaments.
9. Don't EVER give up. Don't worry about your ratings, social standings, and don't get distracted. If you have other priorities, then focus on that, but make time for chess practice. Even when you feel like you will get nothing out of it, don't relent until you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Think Slytherin House in the Harry Potter series- ambition and determination are vital to success in any field.
10. Have fun! This is the most important rule. Chess should be enjoyable above all else, otherwise there is no point. Best wishes :)
