I really suck at this game.

It's like anything in life if you want to get better at something you got to spends hundreds of hours practicing doing it. I have dyslexia so if I can get better you can too.   I watch these climbing the rating ladder video's to get better   youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2huVf1l4UE  

First, if you want to improve keep it fun. If you aren't having fun, you won't play enough to get better. 

Consider the $3 per month Gold membership, if you can afford it. That will give you access to the game analysis, more puzzle rush, tactics and lessons. 

Use consistent openings so you start to learn how to avoid getting in trouble early. Spend a little bit of time in the Openings area of the site to learn the basics, but not too much. Initially, you just want to learn a few moves to get you through the opening in a decent position without getting in trouble.  When you get knotted up early, us Openings and analysis to learn the move or moves that would have avoided the problem.  Write it down at first, so you don't forget. 

Warm up for 15 minutes before playing live games by practicing tactics or playing puzzle rush. It gets you into chess mode. Always review the ones you get wrong. Over time you will begin to recognize more complex tactics and solve puzzles more quickly. Tactics are the heart of chess. 

Finally, view every loss as a gift. You got a free lesson. Winning feels better, but I learn much more from replaying my losses and understanding what I did wrong. 

 

In the 1990s, this was a relevant question. There was debate in the chess world at the time surrounding the best strategies for improving. One camp thought tournament play was crucial, as it provides practice with tight time limits and working through distractions. The other camp, however, emphasized serious study pouring over books and using teachers to help identify and then eliminate weaknesses. When surveyed, the participants in Charness’s study thought tournament play was probably the right answer. The participants, as it turns out, were wrong. Hours spent in serious study of the game was not just the most important factor in predicting chess skill, it dominated the other factors. The researchers discovered that the players who became grand masters spent five times more hours dedicated to serious study than those who plateaued at an intermediate level. The grand masters, on average, dedicated around 5,000 hours out of their 10,000 to serious study. The intermediate players, by contrast, dedicated only around 1,000 to this activity. (From the book, “So Good They Can’t Ignore You.” By Cal Newton - a good read and one of a couple books I could recommend on learning and practice.)

Is there a reason to believe that grandmasters are a good indication of what works for players well below the level of earning a title?

"... In order to maximize the benefits of [theory and practice], these two should be approached in a balanced manner. ... Play as many slow games (60 5 or preferably slower) as possible, ... The other side of improvement is theory. ... This can be reading books, taking lessons, watching videos, doing problems on software, etc. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf

I posted it as offering some insight into what works when attempting to build mastery in anything. I’ve read a number of books on learning (a passion of mine) and the research findings confirm what I’ve read elsewhere. There clearly is a difference between practice and deep (or disciplined) practice. From personal experience, a mentor is critical. From this same book, Magnus evidently paid Kasparov over $700,000/year to mentor him. I guess it was worth it?

Isn't that something?

I started playing chess in the 1950's it used to be fun. About 65 years of playing and I feel I still suck at it! . . .

But in the middle of all those games I had fun, even when I lost! . . .

Check my profile and you will see what I posted when I was younger and having fun!

At 81 I'm hoping to have chess fun again!

DENVER

We all suck at this game. Some of us just suck worse than others.

@ blueemu:

You don't suck. I'd be in heaven if I was around 1800 to 1900 . . .

DENVER

A person -1000-1200 would probably feel the same about you mate.

Meh. Sometimes half a game will go by between bad moves.

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/a-heroic-defense-in-the-sicilian-najdorf-kids-dont-try-this-at-home

My 20th move sucked. 20. ... Kf8 was correct.

I should think by your age, you'd know a few.

"... the NM title is an honor that only one percent of USCF members attain. ..." - IM John Donaldson (2015)
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Reaching-the-Top-77p3905.htm

I suck too. I just keep playing, trying to improve and having fun lol. you will get better

Hello everybody! Happy holiday!

been playing for almost 8 years look at my rating

I stopped playing for 25 years, and look at mine.

Terrible rating bro get better

Need help too

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/for-beginners/i-really-suck-at-this-game?page=1

Hi I need help too