Adult Improvement is difficult - Chess Forums - Page 7

ElijahLogozar · 2026-03-20T22:00:18-07:00

Hi! I'm almost 25 years old, NM title, chess.com peaks of 2773 bullet and 2741 blitz. I predict that it would take 5-15 further years of dedicated study and practice (60-80 hours per week) for me to earn the GM title, assuming I get used to slow chess/calculation. Any thoughts?

Gojolimit

Mar 27, 2026

0

#121

fraserhm wrote:

Etymologist35 wrote:

Tucker_CheckmatedYou wrote:

Gotcha. I would say if you were truly able you dedicate 80 hours a week to study and training you would have a good chance at hitting GM in 5/10 years. Just if you have a job/kids or anything else, that may of course get in the way of your training. But my advice would be similar to mouselip’s. Stay positive, don’t play if you are getting burned out. True dedication and love of the game will get you to GM if you truly want it.

I won't accuse you of trolling here but ...

80 hours of week of ANYTHING will all but guarantee burnout.

Even work

But at GM level it would be basically a full time job in terms of time to maintain would it not? I agree 60 to 80 every 10 days...

Etymologist35

Mar 27, 2026

0

#122

fraserhm wrote:

Etymologist35 wrote:

Tucker_CheckmatedYou wrote:

Gotcha. I would say if you were truly able you dedicate 80 hours a week to study and training you would have a good chance at hitting GM in 5/10 years. Just if you have a job/kids or anything else, that may of course get in the way of your training. But my advice would be similar to mouselip’s. Stay positive, don’t play if you are getting burned out. True dedication and love of the game will get you to GM if you truly want it.

I won't accuse you of trolling here but ...

80 hours of week of ANYTHING will all but guarantee burnout.

Even work

Maybe especially work. Haha

I think becoming a GM would require amazing and unusual dedication but any top achiever will tell you rest and balance are both important. 80 hours a week leaves little time for balance or anything aside from sleep and eat.

chesssblackbelt

Mar 29, 2026

0

#123

Thanks for the game earlier, Elijah. Forgot to say gg in the chat

Ne4 was nice

Lincthecatlover

Mar 29, 2026

0

#124

I think maybe if adults put hard work and determination and a bit of dedication they will achieve they're chess dreamz

NM ElijahLogozar

28 days ago

0

#125

anyways I peaked my blitz by 41 points to 2782 so I guess I'm improving

Zycirline

28 days ago

0

#126

Chessmo wrote:

Jesse Kraai and Ben Finegold were on a similar timeline and eventually earned the GM title.

Ben was an international master in his twenties, and was well rated over 2600 USCF way before he went to play in fide events and get the requirements for gm

NotThePainter

27 days ago

0

#127

pcalugaru wrote:

The odds are massively stacked against you. The science say's "Age is the determining factor"

Did you start before 12 ? if not, There is a 90% you will not make GM.

Serious People (who have an inherent talent) who started before 12, only 24% of them make GM.

THOSE ARE THE STATS

Yes and no... It is undeniable true that those are true statements. But they don't take into account that the chess world now is very different from the chess world 10, 20 years ago. We have may more educational resources available to us. We won't truly know until another 10-20 years pass.

Me? I'm 65, barely USCF rated, and gunning for NM before I die. Many places say I can't do it, but I can try.