How long have you been played chess?

I've been playing chess for almost 55 years. I'm getting old and I'm not as good or quick as I used to be. I'm dropping pieces more often and I seem to be developing a case of chess myopia where I get hyper focused on one line. Anyway, this year, I have felt like I'm just getting dumber because while my rating has fluctuated between 1300 and 1500, I am getting my butt kicked by people who are rated 300-900 and now I've dropped in rating 300-400 points in no time. This makes no sense. I can tell when I play someone equal to my own rating, but these much lower rated players have weird strategies. I feel like I'm being trolled somehow. Then again, I'm getting old. I still love playing chess after all these years, especially bullet and blitz, but I also like regular timed chess, too. And just to show you all that I'm not going too crazy in my old age, here's a snapshot of a tournament I just played in. Out of 1,497 players, I came in 15th place. So, I'm not a terrible player. Can someone explain to this old man how this is happening? Thanks.
. But look at those above me. 515, 390, 587, etc. The person who came in first is rated 2203! How does this make sense?

Traveling between Fischers era and the TikTok chess generation? yeah it's disorienting! Those 900 rated players might be kids hopped up on energy drinks and opening theory videos, playing like Tal on a sugar rush, 15th out of nearly 1,500? You're not losing your touch, anyone who can still enjoy bullet at your age is already a good enough player

Thanks for the kind words. Maybe I need to drink an energy drink before a game. And I hate TikTok and all those brain numbing platforms. Yeah, I remember growing up in the 70s and reading my grandpa's old chess books, which by the way, he gifted me and I still have them. I still have the old tournament Staunton pieces that he gave me when I was a boy. I remember Bobby Fischer when he was still young and how amazing his mind was. Hey, thanks for the reply. Have a great weekend!

I have been moving pieces over chessboards for 20+ years

Your opening repertoire got a retirement plan?

I've been playing chess for almost 55 years. I'm getting old and I'm not as good or quick as I used to be. I'm dropping pieces more often and I seem to be developing a case of chess myopia where I get hyper focused on one line. Anyway, this year, I have felt like I'm just getting dumber because while my rating has fluctuated between 1300 and 1500, I am getting my butt kicked by people who are rated 300-900 and now I've dropped in rating 300-400 points in no time. This makes no sense. I can tell when I play someone equal to my own rating, but these much lower rated players have weird strategies. I feel like I'm being trolled somehow. Then again, I'm getting old. I still love playing chess after all these years, especially bullet and blitz, but I also like regular timed chess, too. And just to show you all that I'm not going too crazy in my old age, here's a snapshot of a tournament I just played in. Out of 1,497 players, I came in 15th place. So, I'm not a terrible player. Can someone explain to this old man how this is happening? Thanks.
. But look at those above me. 515, 390, 587, etc. The person who came in first is rated 2203! How does this make sense?

Your story is exactly like mine.

Playing since 1972. But now with 61 and a brain surgery, I only play for the pleasure of play!

I think players here with 800 to 1000 are better than many years ago.

And I hang queens a lot!!!

Congrats on your 15th place!

Good games to you all!

Cheers

Hanging queens just means YOUR keeping the game exciting

Ugh. I'm the king of hanging queens! Oh, btw, what does that little red flame mean with the red 8 across from my name mean? Is the 32 the number of games I won in the tournament?