Is 300 elo hopeless

I guess I do... There was an specific day where I managed to have 70 precision every match almost. next day i just blundered the whole day

Honestly I only watched openings through YouTube to just focus on getting better some people it happens in months (even then it takes couple years ) others it's longer studying openings can be important but honestly for beginners a least learn how to prevent stailmate first just make sure you aren't makeingthe same mistakes in (openings for example ) over and over again and falling for fools mate 100+ times it's ok to make the same mistake a few times in a row sure you really need to try not to but you aren't gonna fix all your problems instantly (tho at least try to not make it again or make a different mistake )

Trying not to hang pieces every move came help but also Spotting your opponents blunders is helpful I guess "

Usually if w opponent tries a trick in you and it works on it works on some other opponents to so if there's any opening you hate (as long as it isn't dead lost by move five by hanging all your pieces ) you should try it or yourself or use the tactics from your opponents games that happened to you and try it on them (even if it doesn't work that's ok ) of course learning endgames is important just being able to convert a pawn /queen endgame/rook endgame into winning will be super helpful btw you and your opponent will blunder most games there are more tactice most of the time than you see

do you think I should stay away from blitz?

Honestly it depends I pretty much switched to (mostly ) blitz chess when I was 1600 and I play rapid occasionally lol

It really depends how you learn you may improve more in blitz chess or you may get stuck for 3+ years at 800 elo

So to answer your question it depends yes and no

Blitz doesn't really provide a good setting in which to "learn." The added time pressure disincentivizes thorough calculation and favors grinding games. You'll learn more if you face opponents that make good moves and have time to consider them and your response to them.

10 and 15 minute rapid are better for beginners. if you like blitz, i'd go for 5 min with increment.

5 min with increment at first is a good idea but some do learn faster in shorter time controls it really depends

This advice is for beginners, of course. In my experience, speed games are really good for learning when you have a solid enough foundation to make it to an equal-ish middlegame where you can encounter tactics. Being able to play more games gives you an opportunity to encounter organic positions with tactical depth, but beginners typically have a hard time reaching that point.

I think 5|3 or around here is probably best for beginners maybe 10|5

Play correspondence Chess or join a vote Chess team (on this site) that has a 3 day time control. You will learn a lot. With vote Chess you can even join groups that specialize in certain openings and defences. Stay away from "speed" Chess for actual improvement.

Not exactly correspondence ches can turn into blitzing out moves though when you play to many so that inst a good idea but talking to stronger players is 100% so vote chess might be helpful

what about watching videos like gotham chess games where he explains why he is doing every move? Does that help?

Not past 300 Elo

what do you recommend besides puzzles and playing?

Playing is good probably the best way to learn but honestly trying to spot tactics and blunders and tactics is important ,tbh if your "stuck " for a little while you might not really be stuck you still might be getting better

Honestly just try not to make the same exact blunders multiple games in a row and learning /trying to find out why and how your making mistakes and trying to fix hem is most important

Btw that's something stockfish doesn't teach you it just tells you what you did wrong that's pretty much it

Honestly I would do a lot better when If I coached in person it's alot easier to explain them in comments (im not going to coach yet tho )

As long as your trying new things trying to change your style ,trying new tricks ,trying not to make certain blunders ,realizing your blind spots ,learning a new opening (sometimes),analyzing most of your games (wins and losses ),ect even if you don't improve in elo that's a start

Gotta focus on those knight blindspots lol

Also don't resign expecaly at lower level it can teach you things just by playing it out

All seriousness it's best if you try to find a club of strong players ,or a coach (as long as you don't blindly listen for then word for word )

Since everyone has different ways of improving they will give different advice and it (may or may not ) work for you

well I know you said bout not wanting to coach yet, but if you want you can hit me up on discord... idk maybe we play some matches, just for fun and games

It is a good idea to find stronger opponents to play against even if you don't understand their moves at first

Unless they're much stronger

Like there's no point a 300 playing an FM+ as they won't understand the moves even with game review

True but that depends cause theres a 600 thats getting good pretty fast by getting farmed from 2000s,1200,1600s,ect