I resent losing. Why should I bother playing chess?

I'll get straight to the point. I can get the same mental health benefits chess provides without feeling like an idiot each time I fail at chess, which is often. My energy is better spent on stuff where I know I have a reasonable chance of succeeding without wasting my time. All I see in chess thus far is an investment in feeling miserable, something I don't exactly want. What reasonable benefit is there in playing this miserable game for minimal gain? Why the hell should I stress myself out in chess when I can both better enjoy my time and acquire the same benefits *in higher quantities and higher practical frequency* elsewhere?

You've only played 14 games in a year

That doesn't sound like a while lot of time

You're absolutely correct. Learning to play a game like Chess is less valuable than learning almost anything else, unless you enjoy learning for its own sake. Be sure to let us know what you decide to do with your leisure time instead.

Bye-bye!

Well, at least I understand why people enjoy chess so much. I don't think this game is for me anymore. I tackle enough stress as is, so having a game where it becomes a constant series of unnecessary criticisms will only have an additional detrimental effect on some real-life problems I'm dealing with. At least I know that when I do play I should only expect to lose every match for my sanity. If I have to resort to conceding defeat for an already slim chance of winning, then I don't think this game is worth playing for me; the reason is that when I play a game of any kind, I should at least have a reasonable chance of success despite a *few* setbacks, or at least an amount of setbacks and an adequately compensating payoff that will make the journey worth it. Thank you for sparing me countless frustrating hours, at least. Now I can play other games with a better appreciation of them.

Oh, I do enjoy learning for its own sake. The issue is that I simply don't want that knowledge to be pointless. History, I can get a better appreciation of human nature, current issues, how to solve them, and become a better person by learning from the failure of others in a tangible way. Science, I get to appreciate how strange, terrifying, and wonderful this universe is while having the same benefits as historical studies. Art and media (including literature) can display a wide variety of perspectives and messages I can tangibly use to understand others and benefit society. Chess? Sure, it teaches humility, but it thus far seems to me as a form of degrading humility. Had it been in another more physical sport, it would have the same effect as physical exercise and cooperative activities. It would make me a better and even more accepting person online and offline. Chess doesn't have that: it's a constant contest of self-blame on something that won't be truly applicable. At least, that's the impression I'm getting. I can get all the benefits more effectively and sooner elsewhere if not more.

I've been doing a lot of losing lately as I've gotten back into it, but it makes me want to do better. I don't think "I'm losing a lot I should just quit" I think "Oh boy that was bad. What can I do differently? How can I learn, what do I need to learn?" It's not worth getting angry or frustrated over. Just move on to the next one. I urge you to keep on trying! You definitely got this my friend.

TBH I wouldn't play chess if I didn't have as much spare time as I do in work, and sometimes at home. I play it when I'm not doing things like exercise and sport. If it's making you stressed it's probably better to not take it as seriously.

At your level I would suggest to look at it more like lessons rather than games because it looks like you need to learn the basics.

For example pick an opening that you like the look of and stick with it until you learn about it, a lot of your openings seem very random.

If you learn an opening, as in trying it several times and learning a few lines that can happen around that opening, and you still never win, then you can really get angry and quit.

Or just do something less stressful I suppose.

Everything I learned about chess, I learned by losing a particularly painful game.

I agree with this. As someone who doesn't have a good memory in particular, actual chess lessons can be really forgettable for me, but losing painfully and finding out how I lost is really memorable.

Choose your own medicine.

If the game is getting to you that bad then you probably need to do something else.

That's, however, one thing I love about chess: a struggle similar to life, with all its frustrations, regrets and whatnot, going on in a confined and perfectly safe environment.

Hello

@YetAnotherHooligan. You're right, the few benefits that chess provides can be obtained, and to a much greater extent, by practicing far more useful activities.

So, why spend part of your free time playing chess ? For me, the answer is simple : because it is an extremely intriguing game. At your stage, perhaps you are not yet able to fully grasp this beauty ( no offense : we have all been at your level ), but when you have acquired a little more mastery you can well appreciate it. And maybe it will happen to you like me : that is, maybe you'll find that the pleasure you can get from it is the true benefit of chess. No stress, just pleasure and interest.

Give yourself a little more time to get to know it. A tip: read some books that help you discover the beauty of chess. I became fascinated by reading Averbach - Bejlin's manual for beginners: "Journey to the Chess Kingdom".