I just started playing this year at the age of 30, is it too late to get good?

@chess_gg

This is why it's necessary to add a buffer to your expectations, and have a reasonable margin of error for your projections. 

I never pretended to be a kid or given any age other than my real one (30) on this site. This is another assumption of yours just like you assumed I was Haywood. Also, what's with your discouraging comment that "most chess players won't improve much". That is not a truism, and it's like you're trying to convince people not to try and get better. An IM told me that we are ALL capable of massive increases in chess skill, no matter what our current ELO levels or ages. And yes, I know what you said is not about people being capable but about actually achieving it, however, I still don't see the point of making such a negative statement, especially considering that you are probably one of those people who had the privelege of learning chess at a young age. You don't know what's it like to learn chess as an adult and have to deal with everyone saying "you can't do this, you're too old to be good at this." Instead you probably had the opposite, you probably had your parents there every step of the way encouraging you saying "you're getting better, you can be a GM just put your mind to it". So someone like yourself who had all that encouragment is now discouraging other people? People can become strong chess players learning as adults, there's more than enough proof in this thread to confirm that. And most chess players WILL get a lot better no matter who they are, as long as they keep playing.

started playing tournament chess somewhat regularly at 21 and gained 900 ELO since then achieved NM at 25.  of course you can improve a lot in adulthood.  i think there is a lot to be gained by playing through the games of great attacking players and of course reviewing your own completed games on your own, checking it against a masters db and then against an engine.  if you can use the initiative well, your opponents usually will eventually crack under pressure and you can progress quickly.  i feel when you play aggressive chess you can create more chances for yourself than you would otherwise.  fight for those squares! :-) [imagine your pieces exerting a force field of control and strive to increase it or at least preserve it - transform it to your advantage!]

@Petrosianic

Thank you for yet another comment that shows people can improve significantly as adults.

@Chess_gg

Someone's mom being in the same house as them doesn't mean they're a kid, now does it?

I like you, so I want you to keep your trophy, and I may even give you another one sometime. I just think the comment about "most chess players won't improve" is annoying, discourgaing, and most of all, wrong.

And if I do keep playing I can improve more than just "a couple hundred points", I already went from 800 to 1474 in this year alone. And this is a real 1474 rating since my average opponent ELO is also in the 1400s. Furthermore it's a live standard rating. Where is your live standard rating?

Consider this, I have not read one chess book yet, nor have I studied any GM games. I think when I actually read my first chess book on positional strategy (such as My System or Reassess your Chess) I'll probably improve "a couple hundred points" just from that alone.

It's been a while since I last posted to this thread. I've gotten pretty high (for me) in blitz. As high as 1750 at one point, not bad considering I was basically a 900 player when I started.

I don't ever expect to become even a low-level master. I mean, I'm not a natural talent and didn't play as a kid, so I have to work pretty hard to keep moving up. Still, chess is a fun lifetime hobby and that's how I'm viewing it, but I am always trying to get better. 

Stop bloating. Web chess means nothing.

If we made 1-3-5 minute chess the championship time control, chess would be by far the most popular sport in the world.

LOL

more BS huh. Your username is probably best describe you quite well.

If you are a prodigy,or real talent,you could be good or even great in a very short time. Chess, like musical,athletic,or artistic ability requires ability that you are born with. There are 12 year old kids that can play lights out.  Don't think a superior IQ is all you need, it takes more, heavy on memory,imagination,and vision.

I know it's kinda a derail... but, if you want to have a 1-3-5 bullet/blitz tournament, you should probably use an electronic interface that can keep accurate time in 100ths of seconds.

IMO trying to play fast time controls OTB just leads to a mess. Future chess for rapid games should be completely electronic.

The reason behind the idea that chess players must start young is mostly physiological. The idea is that with age neurons don't learn as well and physical stamina is less. There is some truth to this. Neurons don't adapt as quickly as when younger. That coupled with differing stamina can make a player less able to absorb. I believe differently. I think that as people get older this behavior is largely learned to adapt to daily frustrations. Personally I am physically stronger now than 20 years ago and smarter too in experience, learning speed, and focus. Rather than focusing on things you have no control over, you always have control over your effort level.

I played in my first tournament after the age of 40. Prior to that, I'd probably played a dozen games or so, most of them before the age of 15. In 2.5 years, I was rated a little under 2100. In the last year, it hasn't changed much.

The tactical aspects have been relatively easy. The more subtle parts of the game have been considerably more challenging. I only spend 2 hours/week on chess, but I'm not sure it would help if I spent 50. :)

Actually it will help.  Try mastering one imbalance at a time starting with pawn imbalances.  This could be doubled pawns, isolated pawn pair, isolated pawns, candidate passed pawns, pawn chains, pawn islands, backward pawns, hanging pawns, etc.  Then work on weak squares and color complexes.  It takes three weeks of focused study to master a topic.  

However, I'd first spend it working on a single endgame type.  Nunn's Understanding Chess Endgames and Muller's Secrets of Pawn Endings (Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual borrows many positions from here as well as adds some of its own) should give you plenty of time to naturally get the three weeks in.  It may even take longer to ensure you're closer to mastery.  Then minor piece endgames, rook endgames, and queen endgames.  

oogie boogie i like what you say about endgames and i need to learn more, is there an equivalence to nunn's and mullers available through chess.com tactics trainer or computer workout that you advise? i will look at the titles but i am new to chess.com and am processing (and truly enjoying) the many things available. thank you...

Convekta's Total Chess Ending, but it's all problems without explaining the how and why of books.  

You'll definately need endgame studies. I cant tell you how many times I lose a game being 1-2 pawns up and cant promote or win the game. If I actually knew what "triangulation" was at the time it would have seemed like a no-brainer.

R + P endgames I can blunder a lot too. lol

I am starting chess seriously at the age of 30. I learned chess "the basics" at 10 years old. I am captivated by the game. It is going to be hard for me since I work as a nurse, I am studying my masters and I am a full-time dad. My plan is to study 2-3 book theory openings for each color, play tactics and a lot of endgames for the next year and a half. Once I am done with my masters I will dedicate 15-20 hours a week to the training I just want to see how far I can get in ELO rating, maybe one day I ll achieve a title. I want to visit STLMO chess club I'm learning with Akobian online with his YT videos so I will plan a vacation to go and meet the club.

Has FriendlyBeholder been here since 2013?

I am 29 ...I was very upset about my age ...I have decided to beat odds and to improve .

There are 2 ways to improve after 30s  .

1 If you have lot of money and your life is set - You just need a great coach and just follow him blindless . Achieving  GM will not a issues .

2 If you don't have money and life is not set - For GM You need to met rear condition ...you have to become great coach  you're Self  , Like in game you don't play for win , just play for Good moves and stopping opponents activities ...and let win follow you .

same If you want to become GM, then don't aim for GM ... Just Aim for building strong foundation and Coach yourself  like hell best . 

@potentexd: Of course you won't become a GM. It depends what you consider "good" and it also depends on your individual talent.