I'm wondering about rating growth for people who play chess while growing up. How fast do most people progress? Do they keep progressing, or do they simply hit their limit after playing for a few years? I'm in my teens right now, and my Standard rating is around 1500. How much would that change if I played for a few more years, or is that impossible to guess at?
It is impossible to guess at, but there are factors which can be predictors of how high you can go.
You said that you are in "my teens", and that currently your standard rating is about 1500. Most teenage chess players will drop out from playing chess by the end of High School. A USCF study showed that by the end of High School, 1-5% of all scholastic players will still be playing.
Another factor is how passonate are you about chess? If you are extremely passionate, the sky is the limit.
Another factor is do you have a coach in who is coaching you?? Coaching can be a major factor in determining how fast your rating will rise. I was 15 when I started to play, and taught myself through reading books, I had no access to a chess coach.
Another factor is how much are you willing to sacrafice in order to obtain a chess rating?!? In life, as in chess, you need to set your priorites. As you get older you will be required to establish priorities. IF you are planning to go to college, and depending upon what you plan to major in, you will find the number of hours you can devote to chess will be limited. After college you will set out on your career path. Do you plan on going to Graduate School, or move directly into the job market?? Again, depending upon your chosen career, the number of hours you can devote to chess will be limited. After that comes the question about if you plan to marry and start a family. That too may limit how many hours you can devote to chess.
While it may be impossible to guess at what your ultimate rating will be, depend upon how old you are right now, and if you are receiving any coaching while in school, my *guess* would be somewhere between 1700 to 2000. Assuming you are either a Fr or So, 1800-1900 -- Class "A" -- rating would be a good guess. If you are a Jr or Sr, 1650- 1750 -- Class "B" would be a good guess.
In the final analysis however there is no limit you can reach, it all comes down to the amount of TIME you can devote to chess, and DESIRE to achieve.
Wishing you Nothing but Success
I'm wondering about rating growth for people who play chess while growing up. How fast do most people progress? Do they keep progressing, or do they simply hit their limit after playing for a few years? I'm in my teens right now, and my Standard rating is around 1500. How much would that change if I played for a few more years, or is that impossible to guess at?