How to lower my rank

I just started with a rank of around 1200, and even at 600 after getting destroyed quickly 10 times, I'm getting annihilated. Is there a way to put my rank in a proper place so I get fair matches?

Just play more games, your rating will level out with your skill after around 25 games

Just a little off-topic question, why exactly did you resign this game? http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=563148637

Based on the story the OP told us, the best assumption would be purposely losing games to lower his ranking.

That's correct. I started doing this; I was just wondering if there was a better way because it almost feels like I'm abusing the system. I'm definitely wasting people's time in these 25 games.

Doing it on purpose though to lower your rank is classed as sandbagging which is a form of cheating :(

Those 25 games are only going to accurately represent your skill level if you actually play them. Don't worry about wasting anyone's time, just play the opponents you're given for a while and you will eventually settle at a level that is appropriate for you

Instead of trying to lower your rank, why aren't you trying to use these games you're losing to improve? I bet it would take hardly any effort in learning basic principles to get your playing strength above 1200.

I've been playing every once in a while and I still get destroyed. I can't see any difference between the opponents on various levels yet because they're beating me so quickly. I've learned some openings from the skilled opponents I've faced, but after the openings, things get really diverse and I can't really pick up very well.

I never realized I was so terrible at chess. I've probably played 50 games or so in my lifetime against family and friends, and I win more than I lose. But now I've been playing game after game and I'm still getting destroyed.

I assume that all forms of cheating, including sandbagging, are against the rules here, so I'll stop now. I'm really glad I've pushed my rating down as far as it has come already though. I don't think I'd have the will to get beaten down nonstop for hours on end.

What does a time limit of 15|10 mean? I haven't chosen that because I don't know what it means.

If you want, I'll give you a couple of games unrated to try to point out if you're making any obvious mistakes.

Just play chess, don't worry about the ratings

I'll try watching the videos idreesarif posted and see if that helps, thanks for offering to help!

I've been playing for a year. I still suck beyond belief and have played hundreds of games. Even when I play my own rating of people less than 1,000, I too get beaten and usually very quickly. I'm discouraged as heck, let me tell you. It's an incredibly complex game and takes a lifetime, I think.

Read this:

http://www.chesstactics.org/

You should be able to beat 600's pretty easily after if you take it in.

Why would this site start beginners off with experts? This is extra annoying because the rankings don't transfer to different times. The videos kind of just cemented some of the tendencies I've noticed as I've played, but they don't come anywhere close to showing me how to play like these 1200s play.

A 1200 isn't an expert and even so if you lose one game you'll be rated c. 1000 and playing people around that level.

Is it sandbagging if the opponent sets up incredibly and pins me down so I can't move without losing pieces, and then I resign? This usually happens in the first couple minutes.

There's no way the majority of people who are beginners at chess come anywhere close to a true 1200.

Looking at your last game, learning that pawns capture diagonally would be a big improvement.

1200 is the average rated chess player thats why they start you up there