So I've read books on chess theory, played over 1800+ games & done about 3000+ puzzles and I'm still terrible at chess. I haven't really improved anymore than when I first started playing. Is it time to quit?
honestly you have to enjoy playing chess. if your not having fun playing and learning then maybe it is time to quit but if you find that you love if even when lossing each loss motivates you more and more then continue playing
Nope. I can't improve but still play.
never quit.
Thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. I'm not expecting to become magnus carlsen (obviously) but it's just disheartening to lose again and again with seemingly no improvement at all. I do wonder if I'm just too stupid to play chess (pretty likely). Anyway, if anyone still reading this fancies a laugh feel free to check out the games I've played (they'll make you feel better about your own play).
Play lower rated players, that will boost your morale.
I already do and I can't beat them either.
Try to identify specific weaknesses in your play, and really focus on eliminating those.
Your rapid is between 1500-1600, which is not bad at all, I hope you are not evaluating your chess skill based on shorter games than rapid, if so, please stop... :)
Set yourself a goal and try to achieve it, try to play number of games where your goal is just not to blunder anything in one move, then in two moves, or just to play solid, or attacking chess and etc. Of course don't set tooo high goals, start from small and go up as you wish. And don't measure improvement only by win/loss percentage.
Chess insights (I can't check yours, so do it by yourself) is very helpful tool in looking at your statistical good/bad sides ;) use it, analyse, adjust and play. Focus on having a good fight rather than win or loss, wins will come with time, I guess :)
And to read the book and understand what author wanted to show are two very different things, GM Yasser Seirawan had spoken about it, when he read Tal's book several times and each time he understood something new and different from previous.
Set yourself a goal and try to achieve it, try to play number of games where your goal is just not to blunder anything in one move, then in two moves, or just to play solid, or attacking chess and etc. Of course don't set tooo high goals, start from small and go up as you wish. And don't measure improvement only by win/loss percentage.
Chess insights (I can't check yours, so do it by yourself) is very helpful tool in looking at your statistical good/bad sides ;) use it, analyse, adjust and play. Focus on having a good fight rather than win or loss, wins will come with time, I guess :)
And to read the book and understand what author wanted to show are two very different things, GM Yasser Seirawan had spoken about it, when he read Tal's book several times and each time he understood something new and different from previous.
I'll try but its tough my whole game is one giant weakness. I have no idea what I'm even doing half the time. I'd struggle to beat an anaesthetized chimp after a lobotomy.
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