Learning is work, not magic.

These forums are full of people asking someone to "teach me". If you want to learn it's all available right here. Hidden under the menu secretly labeled "Learn". There are lessons, and drills, openings, and game explorers. Want to learn? Get to work. 

If you want some guidance there are many people willing to help you target your weaknesses. If you will listen. I have offered to help several people and they never respond. They expect a GM to magically impart their years of knowledge to them. For free! LOL. 

They expect an open community teaching people about the game, not a money hoarding, stingy group of people...

Did you miss my second paragraph? The community is here. However a person has to be willing to learn. That means applying yourself. Just posting "teach me" isn't going to get it done.

I was responding to the comment saying that GM's won't give away their knowledge for free. But yes, work needs to be done to improve.

Because one should freely give away that which one spent thousands of hours earning.

The overwhelming majority of GMs make almost no money playing, and now they are supposed to teach for free too?

Why would you chose chess as your job anyways? Teach people the wonderful game of chess money or not!

 Most people are too lazy to learn on their own. I've never asked for help on any forum. I don't see the point. Between all the free info on the net, all the books I own, and the learning tools here, I have all the things necessary for improvement. I've gone from terrible to mediocre all by myself, and I'll go from mediocre to however good I can get all by myself.

Players are just lazy and have no interest in studying; they post ridiculous forum and argue when you give them advice. I stop advising them or give them long analysis, it goes unappreciated.

hi

Unfortunately I have witnessed that.   Sorry that you endure that with so much patience and grace.   

I know what you mean, but some people are honestly looking for help, and choose the forums as just another source of input. I've gotten good advice on here myself, even if it's just reading how a titled player answers someone else's question.

When I was new to chess, a forum like this would have been wonderful, but I began back in the dark ages, before the internet

BELIEVE IN MAGIC YOU MUGGLES!!!!

Here is the magic. There is a magic place where you can go. Without leaving your house. Without spending money for a book or traveling to the library. Without finding someone in the mood to sit with you and play. It's called Chess.com! You can find study material geared for you, opponents about your level. Isn't it great!!!!

 Lots of ways to learn online, here and elsewhere. Youtube tutorials are helpful as well. It is nice to have these forums to ask experienced players for advice from time to time though. 

Learning does take work, but when you reach a certain age it begins to get increasingly difficult and depressing.

I agree. There are many chess books and many chess videos on Youtube. It's so easy to learn chess these days but many people ignore all that.

Human nature I guess, Pfren, I've seen it on other sights, pool and golf to be specific.

You don't know what you don't know.

I can only speak for myself but when I see a post from you or other titled players I usually get my board out and play through the variations.  At 66 years I don't expect to ever get much better but at least I have learned who to listen to.