Playing against more experienced players

Hi everyone - I've been trying to learn chess for about two or three months. I've found some great Youtube videos to try to learn the basics and I've been doing lots of tactics puzzles to try to get better as well but it's been very slow to improve. One of the Youtube channels I've been watching is the one by IM John Bartholomew and one of the things he recommends is playing slower time controls and playing against better players.

I'm in New York and am usually on lichess every night from around 7-PM to about 11 PM EST. Is there anyone out there who might be interested in playing some casual (and hopefully instructional) games to see where I might need the most work or attention? I think my opening knowledge is weak, but I also blunder a lot as well.

I don't have any specific goal in chess...it's a new found hobby for me and I don't ever see myself joining a club or playing tournaments, I just enjoy the game and would like to get a bit better, learn more of the basics, and not blunder so much.

If anyone would be willing to spend a little time showing a newbie the ropes, I'd really appreciate it!

This is a chess platform, its extremely easy to find players willing to play. my advice is that you play rated games regardless if its a practice game or not.

And regarding time control, its hard to find opponents willing to play hours long game online, so choose something like 20 min +increment. i personally play 10 min + 10 sec increment.

Improvment is always very slow.
If you want to make big improvments quickly, it will be very difficult.

Hi,

My name is Tom. I would certainly be willing to play with you sometime. I do not know how to tell you to stop blundering because unfortunately I blunder a lot myself. I recommend following the St. Louis Chess Club Youtue Channel. They have great videos for players of all levels. I also suggest if you want to playe slow games with strong players you join a club and or play in some over the board tournaments. It is hard to find slow game online and online rating are often deceiving. The most important thing is to not get discouraged if you lose a lot when you are first starting out. Try to learn from each game you play.

Good luck!

error_state and pawnsac101: Except for Mon and Thur, I would be willing to watch your games and submit some human criticism.
The best advice for blunders is to ask yourself every move:
What is my opponent threatening, esp. his last move?
Are any pieces hanging?
Although there is more question you should be asking yourself, these two will get you started.
It is also possible for me to annotate games played here on lichess.

You coul also try correspondence chess... This gives you time to think for each and every move and analyse the position more deeply. Games can take more time but I think it's worth it if you really want to improve.

Well.. The better way to learn the basic knowledge is through a chess book.
There is a lot of books that explain the basic knowledge related at Opening, Middle-Game and End-Game, all in only a single chess book who is aimed to beginners.
You need this kind of book.

I could play with you 2 or 3 games (10+5). But I only do rated.

I could play some games with you, and try to help as much as I can, feel free to message me any time