I think that if you feel like you're losing enjoyment, or if it is taking time away from other activities, maybe it's time to take a break? I think it is good to set goals, and strive for them, obviously, but with chess, it's different. You have to be honest with yourself and ask yourself, what's a reasonable ELO or rating goal, and what's a realistic timeframe to achieve it? Will reaching 1500 be "enough?" is another question. Understanding that to advance to the upper levels, it takes an extraordinary amount of time and dedication, I personally would be more than happy to be playing at the 1300-1500 range... in my LIFETIME. It's all relative. My advice is to slow down and love your present moment in highschool. You only have this time once, and I'm pretty sure you'll be happier with memories made with friends, than reaching 1500. Take that from a guy who just turned 49 and is still close with his highschool buddies.
Getting Bored of Chess and what to do as a Teenager
@1
"I have always loved chess." ++ Great
"trying to get 1500 by the end of the year"
++ That is a modest goal. 1500 is a matter of blunder checking before moving.
"should I keep trying to play?" ++ Chess is a game, meant to be fun.
If it is fun to you, then play. If it is no fun to you, then quit.
"after playing for 1 or 2 years and only getting to 1300"
++ Analyse your lost games and learn from your mistakes.
"save time" ++ You cannot save time, you can only spend time.
How you want to spend your time is up to you.
"all the hard work and enjoyment went for nothing"
++ Enjoyment lasts forever. If you are only 1300 then you did not work hard.
"it is wasting my time"
++ It is your life and your time, so it is up to you how you use it.
"I have baseball and school"
++ You set your priorities. You will probably not live from either chess, or baseball, so school should be a priority. Between chess and baseball you can chose either, or both.
Okay, thank you for the help I appreciate it!
Play odds it teaches you how to attack
Maybe take a break? High school can get pretty grueling and you might not have the time to play/study chess. If you do, maybe analyze your lost games or do like 5-10 tactics
Depends on the highschool some of them do no homework(unless it's a ap class) but yes he prob should take a break
Chess is a hobby for old people
Nah
I have found that worrying about your rating can suck the fun out of chess. Just play to win and relax.
I have always loved chess. But sometimes I feel like since I have baseball and school it is wasting my time. As a High Schooler trying to get 1500 by the end of the year am I getting too caught up in chess or should I keep trying to play? I know some people say that you should only play when you are enjoying the game but sometimes after playing for 1 or 2 years and only getting to 1300 I feel like I might be getting caught up in the numbers. Sometimes I feel like I want to quit chess and save time but at the same time it just feels like all the hard work and enjoyment went for nothing. Any advice?
School first. No doubt about that. That is out of the question.
As for the rest, it depends. What prospects do you have with baseball and what do you have with chess? Many things together cannot all be done well. I mean, if you want to do something that goes beyond just a pastime, I'm afraid you have to choose at some point.
My advice is this: if you choose chess, don't forget to continue doing some sport, ( even if just as training ), because it is essential for your health, especially at your age. Sitting for hours is not healthy, you have to do physical activity.
I don’t know about North America but if it is like high school here you MUST be studying from 06:00 to 22:00, employers don’t want people with 89% on the Exams, 95% is minimum.
As a healthy teenager ones priorities should be chasing girls/boys, trying to get hold of some alcohol and not beeing kicked out of school.
as you are growing up, you are being introduced to a new concept of life; decisions.
Yeah, I would agree. High School has been interesting for me especially meeting so many new people and ideas. It's good to get a taste of life though.
I dunno all the people at my school unless they do sports or take ap classes(or something else that's interesting) act all the same
Ye maybe that's true idk I am only a freshman bro
Fair stay interesting
I have always loved chess. But sometimes I feel like since I have baseball and school it is wasting my time. As a High Schooler trying to get 1500 by the end of the year am I getting too caught up in chess or should I keep trying to play? I know some people say that you should only play when you are enjoying the game but sometimes after playing for 1 or 2 years and only getting to 1300 I feel like I might be getting caught up in the numbers. Sometimes I feel like I want to quit chess and save time but at the same time it just feels like all the hard work and enjoyment went for nothing. Any advice?