Is there a rating limit for my average brain?

Hello

Im curious too know which chess rating is possible for me to reach, as an average adult in my mid 20s. I realize of course everyone could not become world class even if the put in the work. But would I be able to reach 2000 if I put in a lot of work in my whole life? Or is it simply a limit I would reach(1600?) by not having started earlier or born with any particular skills. Im a beginner now. 

So basically everyone can reach 2000 rating granted they put in proper work?

Yes. If they had normal learning progress at school and in life.

I didn't learn to play chess until my early twenties.

I'm in my thirties now, and I play at the 2200+ level (both online, and OTB).

Chess is a learned skill. How much you progress depends entirely upon the quality of what you learn and how you practice it. You can certainly reach (and surpass) 2000 if you learn properly.

@GearWound Impressive!

I've been thinking that chess is an aptitude, like art and music.  Yes, a certain amount of raw brain power is required with chess; but it is just as much a certain TYPE of brain power.  I can take art lessons, and I will improve to a point; but I will never be an artist.  I think chess is the same way.

I like the programming comparison.   I'd bet chess experts have the TYPE of brain power required to become expert programmers, if they chose to pursue that.  

Ratings are best sorted out while you are still young. Brain capacity is of course an issue but, with age, comes a gradual slowing down. I used to drink to forget, these days, sometimes I just forget to drink.  

With old guys, like myself, I wonder if it is a diminishing intellect, or is it a diminishing ability to apply that intellect for the longer periods of time required to play classical OTB chess.  I think mental fatigue sets in quicker with older players.  That's why super GMs retire fairly young, and are no longer able to compete at the highest levels.

The older you get, the more you understand that rating (and any other performance measurement if fact) is just a byproduct. Play and learn the game if you like it. If you stop liking the game, stop putting time into it and find something else that you like and do that instead. Rating just comes specific to every person. It doesn't make sense to try to analyze it, because many factors decide what your current rating is and what you future rating is going to be. The more you like learning and playing the game, the more your rating is going to rise in the long run, in my opinion. The speed of rise is affected by many factors, again. Just chill and forget about the ratings.

#12 and #13 are very helpful to me.  Thanks.  

Yeah, there are even more factors in online chess than with physical chess clubs: time outs, cheating, etc..

Trying to work out if missing out (4) was ironic or symptomatic :-)

Haha!  I didn't catch that earlier....because it's symptomatic of my age to miss stuff like that.  

Thats very interesting. Would you consider yourself to have an "average" brain? 

@GearWound : That's very impressive, if true. Could you share your learning methodology? Did you have a personal tutor, or was it all self study? What helped you at each rating level? What books, whether you did a lot of tactics training, whether you learnt a lot of strategy from books, and so on?

The truly "average brain" probably would not be too interested in chess.  I think the interest would fade once initial curiosity was satisfied.  Search these forums for "IQ", "intelligence", etc..  I've read some interesting stuff in months passed.

The original poster is, I think, interested in getting an idea of his potential (capabilities) before he commits to a major effort (dedication) to learn the game.  The fact that he is even interested in pursuing chess suggests to me that he likely does not have an "average brain" as measured by IQ tests, etc..  Desiring to know what rating he might be able to achieve before he commits makes sense to me.

There are a few really good forum topics on all this.   

I remember now!  General rule of thumb: Maximum potential rating = IQ x 10 + 1,000