Is it normal to just be insanely bad at chess and unable to get better? • page 1/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Honestly I know the cliche advice is "just practice more", but at what point is it a lost cause? Sure if I play 30 000+ matches (and read books, and watch youtube videos, and basically obsess over chess) I will get significantly better than most people.

But then my life will just revolve around it, which doesn't seem really productive or healthy. Is there some point where you simply determine one sucks at chess and shouldn't really waste more time less they simply frusturate themselves further?

Honestly I know the cliche advice is "just practice more", but at what point is it a lost cause? Sure if I play 30 000+ matches (and read books, and watch youtube videos, and basically obsess over chess) I will get significantly better than most people. But then my life will just revolve around it, which doesn't seem really productive or healthy. Is there some point where you simply determine one sucks at chess and shouldn't really waste more time less they simply frusturate themselves further?

mAHiTh1708

#2

play longer time control your improvement cant been seen in blitz and bullet games @ccchesslearner123

ccchesslearner123

#3

@Mahith1708 I can't focus long enough, at least in blitz or bullet I can win against higher rated players sometimes.... Longer modes I lose against anyone honestly

mAHiTh1708

#4

@ccchesslearner123 i guess this is what u call losing

https://lichess.org/C1ICCqov

@ccchesslearner123 i guess this is what u call losing https://lichess.org/C1ICCqov

MrSzachista edited

#5

You're a "lost cause" if you keep playing bullet and blitz only. The improvement has to come and can only come from slow time controls, then you will automatically get better in bullet as well.
Same with puzzles. Puzzle Storm is fun to play, but your calculation skills won't improve that way.

You have spent almost 23 hours playing here, but only solved 23 puzzles. That's not how you are gonna improve to be frank.

You're a "lost cause" if you keep playing bullet and blitz only. The improvement has to come and can only come from slow time controls, then you will automatically get better in bullet as well. Same with puzzles. Puzzle Storm is fun to play, but your calculation skills won't improve that way. You have spent almost 23 hours playing here, but only solved 23 puzzles. That's not how you are gonna improve to be frank.

ccchesslearner123

#6

@MrSzachista I know it sounds like a stupid excuse but I get bored in longer time controls, I have trouble concentrating for so long and thinking things out. And I've done a lot of puzzles before on Chesstempo. It helped me with some pattern recognition but not too much.

MrSzachista

#7

It doesn't really matters to me or anyone else if that sounds like an excuse or not. It won't change the reality that you are unlikely to improve playing fast games only. That's your decision to make.

KeithDenning

#8

Look, this is primarily a game about thinking. So if you don't give yourself time to think, your thoughts will be shallow, and so will your chess play. That's not a preference; it's a reality.

Being able to focus and concentrate is not optional if you want to play chess well. Does it look like Nakamura is daydreaming when he plays blitz? His concentration is pretty intense, and it's part of the reason that he's so good. And he developed that skill by playing slow games.

Look, this is primarily a game about thinking. So if you don't give yourself time to think, your thoughts will be shallow, and so will your chess play. That's not a preference; it's a reality. Being able to focus and concentrate is not optional if you want to play chess well. Does it look like Nakamura is daydreaming when he plays blitz? His concentration is pretty intense, and it's part of the reason that he's so good. And he developed that skill by playing slow games.

ryan121

#9

@ccchesslearner123
Your ratings show you are an above average chess player. If you enjoy playing bullet, don't bother with ratings. If you want a rise in ratings, follow their advice.

@ccchesslearner123 Your ratings show you are an above average chess player. If you enjoy playing bullet, don't bother with ratings. If you want a rise in ratings, follow their advice.

TonyKoIarek edited

#10

I disagree that you cant improve with blitz only, although it might not be the best way.
I have improved by 700 points over the course of 3 years on lichess, with my first rating being 1200 when I first signed up with another account back then.

You surely learn a lot of "bad practices" with blitz though. Focus is one of them, honestly. That's exactly why I don't play rapid, since I get bored rather easily.

So yes, you can improve by just practice. But it takes time. Some small opening prep would help.

Also, take note that I never ever studied any theory (no openings, no endgames, no middlegame). It's all really practice and having fun, and watching some youtube chess analysis.

If you are not going to be a professional, I wouldn't really suggest going too hard on yourself. Just enjoy the game.
But if you really need to improve, then you'll have to understand what your weak points are. In most cases at this level (up to 2200 rated players here on lichess) the focus should mostly be on tactics and on opening principles. You can argue endgame skills are the way to go all you want, but if you never get there because you hang your queen on the opening or lose to a pretty trivial tactic at move 15, then it's really of no use. Only when you can get into an endgame in most of your games without too much disatvantage should you learn endgames.

NB. I played lots of players above 2000 and they all have the same tactical issues as us, just less. Some even blunder major pieces in the opening. It's probably just that compared to us, they might see some tactics that we don't.

I disagree that you cant improve with blitz only, although it might not be the best way. I have improved by 700 points over the course of 3 years on lichess, with my first rating being 1200 when I first signed up with another account back then. You surely learn a lot of "bad practices" with blitz though. Focus is one of them, honestly. That's exactly why I don't play rapid, since I get bored rather easily. So yes, you can improve by just practice. But it takes time. Some small opening prep would help. Also, take note that I never ever studied any theory (no openings, no endgames, no middlegame). It's all really practice and having fun, and watching some youtube chess analysis. If you are not going to be a professional, I wouldn't really suggest going too hard on yourself. Just enjoy the game. But if you really need to improve, then you'll have to understand what your weak points are. In most cases at this level (up to 2200 rated players here on lichess) the focus should mostly be on tactics and on opening principles. You can argue endgame skills are the way to go all you want, but if you never get there because you hang your queen on the opening or lose to a pretty trivial tactic at move 15, then it's really of no use. Only when you can get into an endgame in most of your games without too much disatvantage should you learn endgames. NB. I played lots of players above 2000 and they all have the same tactical issues as us, just less. Some even blunder major pieces in the opening. It's probably just that compared to us, they might see some tactics that we don't.