How old is too old?

Never.

35.

If you're not looking to be a titled player, I doubt there is any age limit. Besides, you are always better than somebody.

"Get good" could mean anything.

I'd say shoot really high, say your goal is to be a master/2200 rating.  Then set smaller goals like gaining 100 points in 1 year or something.  Chess is enjoyable and addictive for every level of player.  And judging from your 1600 online rating I'd bet there are people who already think you're nearly unbeatable :)

Shoot for what pleases you!

Even if one gets well up into the 90th percentiles, that's still nothing in the larger world of chess.

Maybe you'll get to be a big fish in a small pond? Or a not so big fish.

If that's what gratifies you, it's as good as the next hobby, imo.

Hi

It does not matter what your rating is as long as you enjoy the game and keep learning. I play with other senior players and we all have fun.

I am 71 years old and my rating for Standard Turn Based chess has risen from the starting 1200 to 1665 and rising. I don't expect to reach master level but I am aiming for 1800. Many years ago I was a middling-level club player but only resumed recently after a break of 20 years. I have improved since restarting the game through study and playing OTB. You are never too late to learn new chess tricks!

I believe health plays a greater role than age.  If you are healthy and motivated, improvement will occur.  I think of studies which show that individuals engaged in challenging tasks remain dynamic for a long time.  Putting in 8-10 hours a day on chess will get you to your optimum performance level in a couple of years. . . . . . I love chess, but don't imagine putting in the necessary time to excel until I get more leisure.

Enjoy playing opponents near or above your current level. . . . .  I appreciate the things my opponents can teach me or force me to learn :). 

I came back to chess two years ago at age 37 and have gained 200 rating points so far.

So you're never too old, and certainly not in your 30's

Well, get this...I'm a housewife with two kids under 4 years so I am grateful to online chess because it really gives me breaks where I finally think & use my brain!   So IMO, it's not about age at all.  It's just about creating new neural pathways which keep the brain younger; BTW, don't forget to have fun!

you can suck at chess at any age.

Gosh, I find it amazing how many of these threads there are. 

I wonder if anyone ever asks: "I took up cycling again after a couple of years, and I wish to win the tour de France in a couple years time, how should I train?"

thanks for asking!  you should train more effectively than the best cyclists.

try to find a bike with a saddle also. (oh, and a spare pump ... and ahhh one o' them drinky-bottle thingies)

Lately I have been trying to enhance my chess performance by eating tons of sardines with low-GI whole wheat toast.  No difference in my play so far   Any other suggestions anyone?

50 push up a day.

How old is too old ?   I'm 70,take my word for it...70 is old! Done skydiving last year and the grand canyon,skywalk this year.Have over 300 0n-line wins and my great hope is that my 5 grandkids grow into adulthood as well as my  3 wonderful daughters.

I'm just returning to chess after a 43 year absence.  It's fun and beats the heck out of playing crossword puzzles to keep the mind alive.  I stay away from blitz chess and skittles because I don't (yet) think fast enough and recognize formations that I should, and I've forgotten most of the openings that I learned back in the 60's, but I continue to re-visit my old (and new) chess books, watch online lessons and play as much as I can.  I also try to find ways to encourage chess playing in my rural area.  Rating points?  Who cares?

+1

It's never too late to improve and get better chess is exercise for the mind it's a great way to connect with people and make new friends.

I don't play chess online there's thousands of cheaters and centars in live chess and it's worse in correspondence chess so I stick to chess the old fashion way board and pieces avoids frustration and wasting time I enjoy myself and have more fun playing off the grid.