Is 14 years old too late to start chess?
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EmberBit
Feb 10, 2024
0
#1
I’m 14 years old and have been playing for around half a year now and am around 1200 or so. I recently played in my states high school team chess championship and noticed how a majority of players have been playing way longer than I have. Despite that I went 4-1-2 so I did pretty good for my age and experience level. In addition it seems every pro player has been playing since they were a toddler. Could someone that starts at 14 become a titled player? How long would it take? Am I on a good pace?
Feb 10, 2024
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#2
I think you are in good position, but becoming a titled player will depend on your dedication. I went from 100 to 1200 when I was 14. Two years later, I am almost 2000.
Feb 10, 2024
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#3
LightningStorm_07 wrote:
I think you are in good position, but becoming a titled player will depend on your dedication. I went from 100 to 1200 when I was 14. Two years later, I am almost 2000.
Do you know if coaching works? I've been getting guidance from an IM and I seem to be doing better but maybe thats just me naturally improving and not the doing of a coach.
Plenty of great players started around your age. I think Fischer was only 11 or so before he started taking it "seriously". Korchnoi also was a similar age and took years to be even a good player. Meanwhile there are tons of players who started at aged 4 and sometimes were helped and trained by adults and parents who never became that good later. So it's absolutely fine and won't be a difficulty.
Feb 10, 2024
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#5
no its not too late, a title is absolutely possible you just need to apply yourself
Feb 10, 2024
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#6
EmberBit wrote:
LightningStorm_07 wrote:
I think you are in good position, but becoming a titled player will depend on your dedication. I went from 100 to 1200 when I was 14. Two years later, I am almost 2000.
Do you know if coaching works? I've been getting guidance from an IM and I seem to be doing better but maybe thats just me naturally improving and not the doing of a coach.
coaches are not required to improve, they help you improve faster. Coaches will give you advice and point you to the correct ideas much faster than if you were to just do a bunch of trial and error in games.
@1
"Could someone that starts at 14 become a titled player?"
++ Yes. CM, FM, IM or maybe even GM are possible. World champion is impossible.
"How long would it take?" ++ At least 1 year to 2000, 1 year to 2100, 1 year to 2200 = CM, 1 year to 2300 = FM, 1 year to 2400 = IM, 1 year to 2500 = GM. That is if you do everything right.
"Am I on a good pace?"
++ No. Start with blunder checking to reach 1500.
Then analyse your lost games to learn from your tactical mistakes to reach 2000.
Then Study endgames to get titled.
Feb 11, 2024
0
#8
I started playing Chess at 14, joined a chess club, best way to stand a chance of learning the game properly,cannot replace over the board coaching, my club had several o.t.b county standard players, they never gave you a game you had to earn your results but were always willing to go through your games with you, after 2 years I was playing for my county and within 16 years had reached a rating of 174 ECF converted that's estimated at ELO:1992 my uncle got me hooked he was very strong player came Joint 3rd once in the British Championships and played board1 for his county for many years rated ECF 227 at his peak until age took its tole, he taught me so much ( First book he bought me was Capablanca Chess) Fundamentals, said read that then read it again remember 60% of what in that book and your on the way, still have that book, a great read if starting out on your chess!!