No is not rude to decline the challenge. Did you know you can set the rating to accept the challenge ?
Playing players with rating gap

You have 17 games going now. You don't need another distraction. I know I'm about at my max over 12 games. I used to accept all challenges, until I started getting overwhelmed.

I agree, 700 points is too much. Unless it is one of my friends, I will decline. I will try adjusting my settings too.

No its not considered rude, I play players rated 1800+ only usually, simply because I like to challenge myself and see the difference in play and tactics between me 1500~ rated and high rated people
Though sometimes when you play lower ranked people they often play obscure and weird and deceptive openings, so its also an interesting challenge sometimes lol

I agree. Maybe I will try what you are doing, if anyone ever accepts my challenge however. They probrally think of me in the same way that I think of a 700 rated person.

You sometimes get paired that way in a TM or tournament. On the other hand I just beat a guy 300 points higher in a TM :) But, yes I try to only play higher or equal rated players...learn and stretch myself.

No its not considered rude, I play players rated 1800+ only usually, simply because I like to challenge myself and see the difference in play and tactics between me 1500~ rated and high rated people
Though sometimes when you play lower ranked people they often play obscure and weird and deceptive openings, so its also an interesting challenge sometimes lol
How often do you play against these 1800+ players. Your profile says you play blitz against players average rating 1326. It says your best win is against 1109, BUT you rate 1538. Something is wrong with those stats.

Playing someone ranked considerably lower than you is like wrestling a girl....a no win situation...decline with grace... :-)
Hello everyone. While in live chess, People rated 700 and lower challenge me to rated games. I am around 700 points higher than them in rating, so I decline their challenge. I was wondering if it is rude to decline their challenges and at what rating difference you should accept their challenges. Thanks for your thoughts and advice.