This may only apply to relative beginners on this site, but I found by seeking games with players a few hundred points highr than me, my rating has jumped over 100 points in just a few weeks. Previosley had only been playing folks about my own rating.Grantd my winning percentage plumeted yet I feel im now a much better player as im learning from every game. Just what i needed cause i cant follow the chess books.

u just blew my mind

thats what i used to do.

lol same here.

seems inmature and idiotic to poke fun at a post aimed at helping beginners get better on this site. you're an insult to the game.

hAPPILY MARRIED TO THE BEST WOMAN EVER, pROUD FATHER OF A BEAUTIFUL 3 YEAR OLD GIRL. hAVN'T PLAYED CHESS IN AGES UNTIL i FOUND THIS SITE, LOVE THE GAME, NOT VERY A CONVENTIONAL PLAYER, i COULD'T READ A CHESS BOOK TO SAVE MY LIFE, BUT i'M REDISCOVERING MY GAME...SLOWLY...............VERY SLOWLY.

 wtf? gotta problem with that, only a cowardly sob hides behind the anonymity of the internet. run your mouth like that in real life and see what happens,goes for you too "yonbeast".

im a gangster in real life and shut up

I've heard the best way to get better is to play opponents better then you.

I completely agree with this.

Not sure how this post prompted this: "i'm a gangster in real life and shut up."

 lol true

so many on topic posts here...........yes you improve by playing better players in every sport or game, and that should help your rating since you will win more with a win and lose less with a loss

 ???????????????

That is so true.

 what?

jmesser:  I think it is good advice and applies to all types of players. 

Of course, personal preferences and goals take precedence, but playing strong opposition will mathematically benefit the rating as well as your understanding of chess positions.  As you found, it can be tougher on the ego if one is concerned with winning percentages, but the long term payoff will counter the slight nicks in your ego armor, and you will end up a better player for making such sacrifices, I believe.

Good luck!