I learned how pieces move some 3 years ago, when I was 15. Since than I improved a lot, but reaching master level only depends on natural talent - therefore, it doesn't matter when you start if you are talented for chess. On the other hand, It's in vain to start at a young age, if you don't have the ability.
Actually it's been proven that one's peak rating is relative to a person's IQ. (ie: Tough- "How to Succeed"/Shenk - "Immortal Game") Neuroscience has also recently shown that one's brain is still developing into your early twenties. (Strauch- "The Primal Teen/ LeDoux - "Synaptic Self")
Eventhough I learned how to play chess before I could even read, I would not count those early years for anything at all. I'll never forget my first day playing chess at the Boys and Girls Club and some eight year old switched his rook with his king (like actually put his rook where his king was and vice versa, not 0-0). When I called to the counselors for assistance, they actually sided with the idiot! Quite a few games followed like that, kids getting various moves/rules wrong, until I got too frustrated to continue. That's when I became the connect four reigning champion! It was really that lame. Then my mother enrolled me in ballet and chess became some game that everyone around me never bothered to actually learn. Luckily now I can read. I have plenty of books on chess and a husband who enjoys a game or two.
Play chess because you love it, not because you absolutely must become a grandmaster.
I am 72 and began playing chess again two months ago and while I am still a patzer, my rating is going up with study now that I have time to spend and most importantly I enjoy playing and studying on Chess.com. If your goal is to be a Master or an IM, then beginning when you are very young may be important if not critical but for the overwhelming majority, it is the challenge and the fun of playing and learning. For those of us that are really older, neuroscience also shows that it is really good for us as well as enjoyable.
18 is fine, just don't drive and play chess, and don't drink and play chess until your 21. And whatever you do, don't drink and drive and play chess.
Im 32 and have started to play chess again for fun, I'm hoping to get better by studying as much as I play, I have to admit I am not very good but in a year i would like to see that I have Improved.
Chess is like anything in life its never too late to learn it just depends what your goals are, to play for fun and the competition or to try and be the best player you can be.
#freeSolo yes just trust in ur self, focus and not giving up. I learned chess moves at 5old and able to join tournaments at age 13-15, and able to win a gold for the second board. (board 2) that time I learned to be happy and enjoy whenever I get lose in a games. I rejoice instead. :) I appreciate ur determination freesolo
Well I'm 26 and dtarted playing last year so I got no shot.
FORGET THE FUCK WHAT EVERYONE SAYS !!!
It only boils down to one thing.
If you think chess is your passion, then pursue it with all your might; put in every bit of effort that you can. If chess is only your "interest", then my friend, you have stepped into the wrong direction. There is definitely something better waiting for you.
How do you whether something is your passion or not?
When you find that analyzing or learning even the toughest parts of that particular thing are actually fun and engaging for you, to the point that you can yourself start to discover/invent new stuff only to find out that those things that you have discovered has already been discovered by the best of the best persons in that field. In chess, this means that if can go on hours and hours learning all the variations without breaking a sweat and still find it fun, then chess qualifies as your passion and so the more your put in the effort to climb up the mountain of chess, the higher you will go. If you find chess boring after a while, then it is not for you.
I'm not sure how big a role IQ plays in chess development but I don't think it's irrelevant. Stupid people rarely reach 2200.
If you were rated 1300 when you were 12 you didn't start at 18
I actually started at 18 (play chess often that is, reading out of books here and there, tactics puzzles). My first tournament I was 21.
Well... I'm not a master though, so it's not a happy ending lol. But FWIW I would guess it's more possible for you than me because starting young gave you more than nothing. Also, even though IQ isn't really relevant to chess, if that's a real IQ score (not internet stuff) you're not a stupid person, and IMO anyway, it's possible for many adult beginners to make master if they work hard.
And don't take this the wrong way but, you're barely an adult, so don't feel too old haha. There are topics like this where people are asking how good they can be starting at 40, 50, 60 etc.
I think you can be rated 2000 in 4 years, sure. But, IMO anyway, it would take more than 1-2 hours a day. I think one big consideration is working in tournaments. As a college student I don't know how available your weekends and cash for entry fees are. It's not a deal breaker, but if you can try to work in tournaments. And as I said I do think master is a realistic goal.