I have a few questions

Hi.

I joined this place two days ago. I played a few games and my rating here is currently 1146. I am new, so I have a few questions.

I would be glad if someone answered.

1. I understand that everyone has a rating and that higher rating one has, the better chances he has of winning.

What is a notable difference in ratings?

2. What rating would be compared to which skill level?

3. I would really like to improve in chess. How can I do that?

I play games and sometimes I try to solve a puzzle that I find online. Do you have some advice for me?

4. I want to be a good player and improve as much as possible. But should I have a short term goal or something like that?

5. I am already 21 years old, almost 22. How good can I become? Is there a limit at my age? Keep in mind I am not a good player, yet. What would be realistic long term goal for me?

I hope I will improve.

I thank you in advance for answering my questions.

A player 100 rating points above would have a 66% score e.g. 2 wins, 1 loss. 200 points above this is 75% i.e. 3 wins, 1 loss, or 2 wins, 2 draws.

As for goals, just play for now. It's difficult to set goals so early. You wont ever be a grandmaster, but expert (2000) is achievable.

Play games and analyse where you went wrong, search for some opening principles, read http://www.chesstactics.org/ and do some tactics puzzles, read some advice on strategy, learn some endgame basics and you should improve fairly quickly for now.

A rating difference of 400 theoretically gives the stronger player virtually100% probability of winning.

Puzzles are good, if you're willing to fork out some cash for this site, you can do a bunch of Tactics trainer puzzles here, if you're new, I think you get some freebies.

22's a little old to become world champ, but you can still become a decent player.``

1.. answered by Scot

2. upto 1400 beginner level, 1400-1800 intermediate and there are many levels higher than that... these classifications are tentative based on forum discussions and on what I read in some articles.

3. ( Based on my experience).......To improve, coordinate 3 actions : Study chess literature, Play and Analyse your games after words.

Initially focus first on these areas, tactic and endgames. spend atleast 20-30 min. on tactic. for Openings, chose e4 or d4 as white and chose a response for these two as black and stick to that untill you have fair idea of various variations.

4&5. forget about goals now and try to enjoy the game.

I am around 1700 in both online and live std and I have been soundly defeated  twice by a 799 rated player and several time by  players rated 1100- 1200 here at chess.com. 

i always have goals with 50-100 points at a time, some thing you can acheive in a short period of time so that you don't get depressed by never reaching your goal.