Chess for Oldtimers --- Good Idea !

Okay Conflagration_Planet let me put it this way: Is there a activity that you do for fun but that does not lead to self-improvement ? Are you now going to give up this activity because it is only a waste of time ??? 

Yes to the first part. Most likely to the second.

Conflagration_Planet, I'm intrigued by your series of posts, so I have a question for you.

In addition to taking up chess in my 60's, I also bought a treadmill and have begun exercising five mornings a week.  I'm terrible at it.  On my best day, I can do about 1.4 miles in 30 minutes, and usually it's closer to 1.3 miles. There is no possibility of my doing any better, and over time I'll probably do worse.  I get regular physicals, and while my vital signs have always been good, there has been no measurable improvement since I began this exercise program nearly two years ago.  I do not enjoy one single minute of working out on my treadmill.

Should I quit? 

If you don't enjoy it, and you truly believe it's not doing you any good, yes.

:-D!  Having grown up Methodist, I'm familiar with their "method" --- I recall a series of painfully repetitious, guilt-inducing sermons demanding more contributions to the "building fund."  (Methodists seem to love new buildings.) (Maybe that was only My Methodist church....?) 

As for witnessing Jehovah, count your blessings you Didn't see the accident! (remember the guy in Life of Brian who told his wife her fish dinner was "good enough for Jehovah?" -- whew!)  

JimmyTheK: If your Doctor says that it is okay then stick with it. You are burning up Calories and that should be of help with controlling weight. Also the work that you are doing should help increase blood-flow which is reported to be good for the Brain.

Conflagration_Planet: I must say that you seem to be a very negative person ( sorry to be so blunt ). Many of the inhabitants of this planet go thru their entire existence without ever finding anything that they are very very good at. They work for a living, often they have a Family to raise but they get busy and get at it. I really do hope that you find an enjoyable activity to have some fun with. Not meaning to pry but you do seem to be on a bit of a downer because Chess may not become your area of expertise.  

Of course I'm going to stick with it!  I was just clumsily trying to make a point...

Then it must be doing some good.

Ok ok, then I'll just let you Gents carry on.

Actually, I never EVER expected chess to become my area of expertise. I knew It would never be that, because I was never interested in it before I got on this site. I discussed it with somebody else, and started on here for the same reason the OP did. I figure that anybody with marginal ability ought to be able to reach a rating of 1400 or 1500 after a year or so. I figured if I reached that, it would be a sign it was helping my crappy concentration. However, the fact that I am still at the same level I was right after I learned how the pieces move on here, makes it obvious It's not helping at all. Also, I don't see how anything could be enjoyed at this sad level.

Some Methodist congregations love new buildings & some don't...I've been to both types.

Those of us who from time to time glance thru the pages of " Scientific American " magazine know that they now also have out a sister-publication entitiled " Scientific American Mind ". Both of these magazines often contain articles relating to health for Seniors. The cover of the Jan/Feb issue of " S. A. Mind " features the headline: " The Science Of Optimism ". As one ages the feeling of Optimism does often tend to fade a bit so I will need to read this article very very carefully.  

I'm feeling So Optimistic about your plan to read this article very very carefully!!   (also, that Is a really good magazine --- I have a subsription for my waiting room)

Thanks for the post Motherinlaw. Perhaps it's just me but that article that I mentioned may be a bit hard to follow for those of us who are not in that field. It was mentioned that further study is needed but they did say that avoiding negativity is important.

Also in this magazine was a short article on " Super Agers ". In a study a group of individuals who were over 80 years old did as well in memory tests as a group of under age 65 volunteers. This is another area where more study is needed but one interesting finding was mentioned. The " Super Agers " may have a paticularly keen sense of attention that helps to support their memory ( due to a strong anterior-cingulate region of the Brain ? ). Perhaps our Teachers were on the right track after all back years ago when they told us to " sit up and pay attention ! " I have noticed that when my attention wanders away from my Chess games I get into big  trouble real fast.  

Thanks for the comment, cab!  I had to read it twice, though, since I have this attention deficit type thingy in my ....what was it? .... oh, yeah! --- the anterior cingulate! --- of my ................ now, what were we talking about? ...

The "method' of Methodism sounds suspiciously like Catholicism.

The sermons of the pastor at our current church are very positive & uplifting OTOH.

Thanks for the new posts.

Motherinlaw: If I may be so bold, based on what I have seen in the forums around here you seem to have a bit of a mischievous sense of humour ( and I'm a person who appreciates a good joke ).  

Thanks!  One always appreciates being seen and recognized for whom one Is, as opposed to whom one is Not, which tends to happen frequently ---  and can be confusing until one finally figures out that one is, in fact, "eccentric"  ... unusual .... odd...... or, at least, (one decides) "An Outlier."  

Now There's a good topic for a forum!:  How many online chess players consider themselves "Outliers?"   --- Show of hands?  Just raise your electronic devices and shout "Check!" ........ Is your hand still down?  Could be "denial."