At what point should someone quit chess?

No need for membership here, I just wish to answer this question.

This is a subjective topic, everyone can look at it from their own perspective.

First of all, percentage of wins is not really relevant in my opinion. Why? Well, for instance a solid 1 600-1 700 rated club player might play against 2 000+ rated player every time, lose 80-90% of their games and still be considered a solid player. So you can't say that he/she is terrible at chess.

Second, which rating is so low for a person to decide to call it quits? This is up to you. Apart from that, one could be a beginner today but a decent player after a year or so. If losing brings you pain and suffering, you shouldn't play. Someone rated 2 000 could be so affected by a loss
that they shouldn't play chess at all. On the other hand, someone rated 200 might enjoy every moment playing chess (of course nobody likes to lose, but this person might still get a lot more positives than the negatives, so why should they quit?).

As for you, well, the fact that you are asking this question might (or might not) mean that you are not enjoying playing chess at the moment. If that is the case, then you might want to quit. If not, why would you listen to some high rated player who says for instance: "If you are not 2 000 rated, chess is not for you, just quit." It is up to you to decide what do you wish to gain from chess and the criteria for playing/quitting.

I thought you were going to be on the right track there, but you kind of danced around giving an actual answer

Hi! My name is Lauren Goodkind and I’m a respected  chess coach and chess YouTuber based in California: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5SPSG_sWSYPjqJYMNwL_Q

A person should quit chess if they don't enjoy playing chess anymore.  If one doesn't like playing chess and still plays it, that's a waste of time.  

You will probably feel really good about yourself if you keep going and become a great chess player, but I'm not telling you what to do. 

Quitting due to lack of skill is only as relevant as you wish it to be. Quitting due to lack of fun is also as relevant as you wish. People play some form of football, golf, hoops, bowling, or… you name it, well after being “good or bad” at it. I’ve quit a number of sports, because the investment of time and energy was no longer worth the payoff I received from it. 

Simple - when it is no longer fun.

laurengoodkindchess wrote:

Hi! My name is Lauren Goodkind and I’m a respected  chess coach and chess YouTuber based in California: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5SPSG_sWSYPjqJYMNwL_Q

A person should quit chess if they don't enjoy playing chess anymore.  If one doesn't like playing chess and still plays it, that's a waste of time.  

Ok, so as a coach let's say that you have a student who enjoys chess but is just really bad. Like the worst you've ever seen and will see. What would make you think that student is a lost cause? What kind of habits, behaviours and stats would make you think that? Or do you just continue to take their money?

When it’s no longer fun

I don't want answers that are just "when you don't enjoy", that's not the question I'm asking. I only want answers that to do with a lack of skill.

The gold membership is still up for grabs, only because the best answer is already a diamond member.

When you get tired of losing. Losing sucks and if someone is that bad a something... my mom once told me, "if at first you don't succeed, then quit before you embarrass yourself anymore"

If I quit something every time I was no good at it I wouldn't have done much with my life. Play as long as you enjoy it. You don't have to be good, something I'm reminded of every time I pick up a guitar.

Never. With the exception of those who are born with enormous talent, the rest have to play a lot of games to improve their skills. Even if you lose 90% of your matches, you will still learn a lot.

But can you live with so many losses? One player gets more motivated to get better while the other takes the fun out of it

Part of being an adult is knowing when to quit when you are not good at something at all. It is something that everyone goes through. There's a point where it becomes obvious that your skills are just never going to pay the bills.  Recognizing and accepting that is just part of life.

However, there's not a reason to do a full quit. 

Especially now that chess is online and you can start a game within 30 seconds on a bus ride or while waiting at a doctor's office.

Chess is always going to be enjoyable playing against people around your same skill level.  Just spend the time you would be using to improve your chess doing something else.

So, after reading the thread, I'm going to make a few assumptions from statements you "sort of" said. 

1, you're "no good" at chess.

2, you enjoy the game. per your statement Ok, so as a coach let's say that you have a student who enjoys chess but is just really bad.:

3, you want to quit due to self-perceived lack of skill, or at least have someone talk you into or out of it.

4, in spite of "enjoying the game", you've mentioned nothing about what you've done to improve at it.  So, I'm inclined to believe you think playing chess will make you better, which largely isn't true, IN MY opinion.  Studying chess will help you, playing, especially short time controls, will just reinforce bad habits IMHO.

There are also some things you've left out.  Age range. Amount of time you can devote to learning. Do you even LIKE learning?  

So, my answer comes in several parts:

1, you should NOT quit until after you've made a conscious effort to improve, and seen no improvement.  So conversely, if you've genuinely attempted to improve but have not done so, then yes it's time to quit.  Find a hobby you're more suited to.  But see part 2 below first...

2, If you think chess is some 'born in skill", read the Wiki page on Judit Polgar.  It is very much a developed skill.  People are just people, nobody has any "Divine Grace", they're just people.  If someone else can do it, so can you.  It just depends on how much work you're wiling to do to get better. 

3, Every world champion player alive or dead, began playing at a young age.  If you are unable to understand that people with a lifetime of devotion to the game will play better and those with very little devotion to it will play worse, then it's probably time to quit.  

4, If you are really asking this question as an indirect way of getting tips on how to improve, then asking those questions directly would be more productive, IMO.  There's countless people on this site, not only qualified to help, but also willing to.  If you would prefer to get better vs quitting, then it's not yet time to quit.  But it is time to get some solid advice on what to work on in order to get better.

PS. I'm already a gold member, but you're welcome to upgrade me if you want!  Lol. 

WHEN THE inappropriate video advertisement IS reported

When you have decided that you wanna quit chess =)

I don't want answers that are just "when you don't enjoy", that's not the question I'm asking. I only want answers that to do with a lack of skill.

The gold membership is still up for grabs, only because the best answer is already a diamond member.

PS. I'm already a gold member, but you're welcome to upgrade me if you want!  Lol. 

You haven't answered the question. You put effort in your post, don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't answer the question I was asking.

Items 1 and 3 in my post specifically call out times when it's time to quit.  Your question was, when is it time to quit due to skill level, and I answered that 2 different ways.  I also gave examples when it is not time to quit.  

Wait a minute mightyjaggy, u only played 1 game on here? I assumed u were playing a bunch of blitz but at least the 1 game u played was rapid. At least play some more. Rapid time control is good, it's better than not having time to think. Use an increment too. 

If your skill level is low and you've only played one game, it's time to quit.