Too late?

Hi! I'm 16 and I've only just become aware of the subtelties of Chess. I have been reading through this forum and have been seeing that children around the ages of 10 become aware of things such as Castling and En Passant. Have I kind of passed the age where I'll become awesome at Chess, or is there still hope?!

Thanks!

They said that about Skywalker.

It depends on what you mean by "awesome"

If you mean will i become a world champion?  Then probably no.  If you mean can i become a master?  Then yes as long as youre willing to put in the time and effort. 

If youre looking to become a competitive tournament chess player, then absolutely yes!

I don't understand the belief that it's impossible or even significantly more difficult to do something, like become awesome at chess, if you are starting a little late. At 16, the only things you're to old to do are crawl into small spaces and suffocate yourself with plastic bags.

Doesn't he have the same chances as anyone else?

Well you need to start beating me before you're a master, Tom ;)

there is hope my friend.  but if you want to get strong just message me

One of greatest chess geniuses, Akiba Rubinstein, started learning chess at the age of 16.

Who knows, you too may start giving simuls soon!

you are never too old to become awesome at chess

Remember, Van Gogh started painting at the age of 28.
Anyhow, why play to be better? I think that just ruins the whole feeling and atmosphere of the game.
I'd rather loose in a very interesting game that makes me think rather than spending hours a day memorizing patterns and all that.
I've never read a single book about chess, nor have I analyzed any of my or others' game to be better.
I know I'm a bad player, but that's fine that way.
Just play for fun and your own entertainment.
This is a game, after all. Don't stress it.

You're a douche, be proud of it.

I'm definitely with GnrfFtzl.  It's never too late to enjoy chess.

I will never be a master but I enjoy watching the chess world championship much more than most sports.  With other sports you will learn some strategy and get to see it in action but you are very limitted.  With chess you never stop learning.

Oh no, kids at 10 know how to castle?

lol.

The best 10 year olds have been playing tournament chess for years are close to master strength and are already better than >90% of the rest of us will ever be.

You can be "awesome" at chess for sure.  Mostly because "awesome" to you is not grandmaster.  Awesome is probably being able to beat the crap out of everyone you know 10 out of 10 games.  Yes, you can do this with some work.

And hey, if you're literally a one in a billion talent then you may even become GM one day.

But chances are you're like most of us.  We enjoy chess for the beauty and challenge.  We've improved vastly from day 1 and can even keep improving a little every day.  But we'll never be playing elite tournaments.

I got interested at 18 and went to my first tourney at 21.  I plan to play and enjoy chess until I die even though I'll also never be anything close to grandmaster.

The way you phrased it sounded extremely arrogant and douchey.

You'll never be a world champion, but anyone can get a FIDE master title with normal capacities