How do you improve your chess playing?

You have been playing for quite a long time already, winning and lossing some competitions. So here is the catch, how will you really make yourself superior in chess playing. I am not only referring to myself but also to other chess players. I know we have some weaknesses, so what is the basic and fundamental things to do? Also, how shall we know that chess is really for us?

play with people who are better than you, or at least play with as many people as you can

read books,articles,studies, etc... by people who are better than you, or simply just from other chess players

realize your weaknesses and improve them

analyze wins as well as losses

 

if you enjoy playing chess, then chess is for you.

thanks bassthumper...nice suggestion

i ve that feelin too but manage to keep cool...so the basic is do some study at least ( even more ) of all the games u played..find wrong moves, bad moves..your past game is important because THATS the move YOU'VE made and should be analyzed by YOU..if you can go thru all that then chess games invites you...bye thanks.

nice ku8, i think what really matters is to make the best of the best moves..apply all the tactics and strategies...also play brilliant players........

Playing chess on chess.com,carefully read comments on games in forum,read and watch games,articles with annonations on chess.com.Use Tactic trainer,Chess Mentor.Work on openings,middlegame,endgame.Analasye many games from great players.  www.chessgames.com

Sometimes post your games in forum and you will get instructive comments from other players,that comments will help you much.Chess books...  work on theory,tactic...

The old adage practice, practice, practice.  All of the advice contained in these postings are solid.  The biggest trick is finding the method that works best for you.  Which means that you will have to experiment with all the methods, reading, working on tactical/mating problems, playing , and analyzing.  For example the book mentioned earlier "Rapid Chess Improvement" the author raised his level 400 points in a year, for another it may only be 50 just because the way the material was presented did not allow for maximum improvement with the way that person thinks.  Whatever methods you try put forth a solid effort and reevaluate your progress after a few months and see if you need to change the way you are learning.

Nicely explained guys, I appreciate it. Hope this forum doesne only improve to all avid chess players. I consider  RetGuvvie98 suggestions regarding end games it is really vital to develop strongly in end games.