trying for master level at 62?

I read the faq, tried to search for this topic (received a 404 not found error), I'm sure this has been asked many times.

I studied the game in hs and played first board, attended a large university with a big chess club but didn't have time to play, did manage to win the university championship the only time I played, the school entered me into a local tournament where I did pretty well, almost managed to beat a master (but lost!), didn't play much for the next 40 years, now retired.

would love to make a run at a master rating but know it's pretty tough for someone my age, trying to get a handle on how far I have to go...one of the biggest problems I have is that my mind isn't always sharp so I often miss basic combinations or otherwise play very poorly. Other times my mind seems to be much sharper...also, I only know two openings out to the fifth move or so...so that's a problem :)

anyhow, my rapid rating is 1901 and rising, I'm thinking the corresponding uscf rating is much lower? if not, I might make a run at it thinking with study, I might be able to push into 2200.

thanks!

"I only know two openings out to the fifth move or so...so that's a problem"
That is no problem at all. Kasparov recommended to study openings only after you become a grandmaster.
"my mind isn't always sharp so I often miss basic combinations or otherwise play very poorly"
This is a major problem. It may be linked with physical circumstances. Outdoor physical exercise may help.
"I might be able to push into 2200"
Maybe, maybe not. Who cares. Rating like age is just a number.

i'm 63 and took back up the game after an absence of 45 years.... i'd think that our situation has not been discussed much... i think good physical health is important, esp once you get older. this is assuming the noggin is still working more or less... and i think nutrition is important, lots of beneficial oils, like fish, and rest --- but for the physical, they're doing lots of research showing that exercise is good for the noodle... these are not so little things that can mitigate to some extent the effects of old age... oh, also, OP's (old people) brains can be more subtle and varied than younger people's... that's why there are those sages and wise old guys and gals roaming around, occasionally parsing out 'sage wisdom.'

seems like you could make a run at masters............. are you up on your computer analysis? many of my OG pals who are like 1700 or so, don't seem to be.... i'm a mere 1301.........

Physical health, a good training plan, tournaments, a trainer. These are the cornerstones.

With serious health problem I managed a gain of 40 points each year from 57 till 62. Then my diseases made break down my concentration in the fifth hour. My FIDE-rating was 2054 (a ? for the 4) and in my last tournament I played in the 2nd to last round with black against an IM and won and draw in the last round with white against a GM.

Talent is 1% inspiration and 99% transpiration.

And don't forget a good !!! trainer!

@quietd #1
Wanted to look up the story about an old age chess player from the UK who got his last title norm in a tourney in Iceland a few years ago. Could not find it right now, but here is an article by old-aged Bill Wall. The article is from 2012 and is not up to date for some entries but still worth reading.
www.chess.com/article/view/older-chess-players