One earlier response said that chess is basically pattern recognition and recommended that you play more games.
i agree that pattern recognition is very important. However, I think that playing through master games, even without any commentary, will be more valuable for learning patterns than the same amount of time spent playing speed chess against other players at your level. The patterns that low rated players come to recognize are acquired through trial and error. Seeing the patterns in master games will lead to much more rapid learning of important patterns.
edited moderator AndrewSmith