Is my IQ too low for chess? Very Frustrated

I know people say that chess isn't really about IQ, and that anyone can improve with enough work, but I’m really starting to doubt that’s true, at least for me.

I started playing chess about a year ago. I’ve been doing everything people recommend.. puzzles, opening study, endgames, analyzing my losses.. but I still feel like I’m not getting anywhere. My rating barely moves, and every time I think I’ve finally learned something, I just make the same mistakes again.

It’s incredibly frustrating. I see people who started after me getting better quickly, and I start to wonder if there’s something wrong with me. Like, maybe I’m just not smart enough to really understand this game. Sometimes I genuinely feel stupid.

I hate feeling like this. Chess is something I actually care about and want to improve at, but it’s like there’s a wall in my brain that just won’t let me get better.

Is there anything I can do? Is it possible to actually increase your IQ or train your brain in a way that would help with chess? I’m honestly open to anything at this point. I just don’t want to feel like I’m hopeless.

I would suggest a coach, they are worth the money.

I don't have money to get a coach atm. but shouldn't I be able to get to 500 without a coach? I don't think most people here hired coach

Very strange. Usually people are stuck at this rating because they don't care, or they're doing many things wrong.

If you're open to it, I'd like to see something. I want you to do puzzles, but instead of doing them, I need you to do some things:

1. Screenshot the original puzzle.

2. Type what you think the goal of the puzzle is. (checkmate, or winning a piece are the only options. If unsure, write unsure)

3. Type what you think the answer is, before you play your move. Also, include why you think that's your answer. Does it satisfy the (perceived) goal of the puzzle? If not, you may want to rethink the goal or your answer.

4. Do the puzzle.

5. Write the solution.

6. Write why you think this is the solution. Every puzzle has one, and only one solution. Do not go around thinking you found the one-in-a-million puzzle that is actually defective. Some example reasons: This line checkmates the opponent faster. My line allows the opponent to take a free piece, which I didn't see. If you can't think of a reason, keep trying. It's the thinking that counts.

7. Repeat two or three more times. I would like more samples. You can feel free to do it more times.

I would like you to put this in a google doc (necessary), then afterwards, you can either copy the doc and send it in my private messages, or you can share the link, or you can screenshot the doc, whatever you feel is appropriate, as long as I can see all of that.

I would also like you to steps 2-6 while you do puzzles regularly.

If this feels a bit like formal studying, that's because it is. It will be annoying, and it will feel difficult. But sometimes, life is unfair.

Oh yeah. If you don't know how to already, you will need to know how to write chess notation. Luckily, if you've ever used a regular coordinate plane in math, it shouldn't be very hard.

Wow that seems like a lot of thing to do. Seems chess is only for smart people. Thanks for trying to help anyway

Stop moving.

Wdym?

3 minute games are too short. If you want time to think you need to play 5 minute games. Look for hanging pieces and make sure you don't hang yours.

"Is it possible to actually increase your IQ"
in the way they make the actual tests, of course -- you just have to practice them like anything else

If you're open to anything, then that includes the bit of work described in #4, doesn't it? Try it

I always see this same advice recycled, but i am worse at longer times because i get into my head and panic and blunder

Ninjaswat I dont fully understand you sorry

" I’m honestly open to anything at this point. I just don’t want to feel like I’m hopeless."

If you're open to anything, why reject @sndeww's idea out of hand? you don't have to be smart to try what he asked.
and likely you move faster and blunder in longer time controls too. do you have any games you can show where that isn't the case?

You are not stupid. You are simply in the same frustrating phase every strong player has gone through. Many masters wanted to quit dozens of times before their breakthroughs.

Dw about it that was me when I was 1700

Part of chess is controlling your emotions.

Frankly speaking, I do not think you need to be smart to document your thoughts, which is what I was asking for.

Thanks for the help guys. Honestly i think some of you are afraid to tell me the truth, and it make me feel even more stupid. because i feel like people are afraid to hurt my feelings, so the lie to protect me. but then if you tell me the truth that i am stupid, then i would rage even more

Thanks for the tips. I will try to take them and see if i will improve