Maybe chess isn't for me?

You have to want to improve.  ( It seems you do)

You have to study: books, theory, etc., but find books geared to your level which is beginner.

Play lots of games (which you seem to be doing).

It might help to set your 'open seeks' rating to be 50 points below your rating to 50 points above your rating.  That way, you will gain the satisfaction of more wins than you are currently experiencing.  As you improve, that rating window for open seeks partners will rise.

Hang in there.  Be aware, it takes a lot of work.  If you aren't willing to put in the time studying, it will be disheartening.  Treat those painful losses as instruction and perhaps submit one occasionally to the computer analysis.  Good luck man.

I have not been doing so well myself, having gone from 1500's down to 1300's. But I know I have it in me. I think taking a break and then slowing down and thinking more about my moves might be the best strategy to break out of this bad streak.

 You should not expect to be something of course but you should try to be the best. It will probably not happen, but Bottom line, if it is not hard it is not worth doing. Someone probably is saying your an idiot, but if you contnue to try you may be calling others idiot.

Thanks for all the responses.  I do feel better.  I think once I get through this first wave of games due to too many tourneys starting at once, I will probably try to play fewer games and learn more from them.

Bruiser- stick it out for a bit.  Maybe get a book or two on the middle game and study it.  They usually give you a good foundation on how to set up your pieces and get to the end game.  Go over other people's games, either as a learning tool, or just for the enjoyment of watching another game.  When you see a bold move, ask yourself why did he do that, or take some time and look to see how player A won the knight from player B.

Chess isn't an easy game, but it is an easy game to enjoy.  Take heart.  We've all had slumps and streaks, but like others, it's just fun to play against people from all over the world.

I've been thinking of getting some books, but don't know which ones are good.

if it makes you feel any better, I was taught the game by my brother...I played him for 3 years without ever winning a game...I don't know if that is persistence or stupidity, but the tables eventually turned and I can now hold my own with him...if I had given up, I would have never got to see the look on his face the first time I was able to say, "mate"...priceless...

               If you learn to laugh when you fall down,rather than crying ,then this great game has so much to give to you,much more than just winning & loosing ,but it shapes certain values that are really needed in your real life!

              T ry to find out a group that supports the beginners to learn the game & then you will find a nice company of friends who are strong enough to guide you & nice hearted enough  to be patient about your mistakes & shortcomings!I have found one & that has really made a difference for me,while leaning this game & enjoying it at the same time!

             So,please don't give up!achild never starts walking before it falls several times!

Apparently I didn't realize the firestorm I've started.  I was very frustrated when I wrote the initial comment.  I missed a h7 mate and then lost the game because everything was out of place, and then I got pretty much controlled in a few other games, and was overwhelmed.  But again, thanks for all the kind words of support. 

A very good book for you Bruiser is Silman's Reassess your Chess, and the Reassess Your Chess Workbook.  Three or four hours a week studying and you will be a transformed player.  Unlike a lot of books, he gives you the reason why things are the way they are. 

Would you buy the third edition or wait for the fourth edition that supposed ot come out sometime this year?

One that I am currently studying is Complete Chess Strategy - First Principles of the Middle Game by Ludek Pachman.  ISBN 0385-11160-6.  It's a bit dated - mid 70s, but the concepts still hold true.  It has really helped me a lot.

I have thought about giving up , special when in a  loosingstreak where I don't seem to be able to get out off  . Losing a bunch of games because I run out of time , that hurts even more if I would have won the game . After almost a 1000 games on this site I'am rated  under 1300  , up to 1400  sometimes then down again to under 1200 .  Obviously I'am not a very good player  but hey ,I have also a lot of fun , meet great people from all over the world  and usually most people  in the same rating -range  play  the same and have the same problem , up and down , you win one you loose one . Don't give up , try  to play different .

 The first question about you need to ask is if you enjoy playing the game.

The second question you have to ask is if the need to win is stronger than the desire to learn.

If it is, then make your priority your desire to learn.

Focus on the basics. I recommend Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition for this. I find the visual training course tpo be very good.

Last understand that winning comes with knowledge of the game. Pick your battles. Avoid playing players over 1400 except for fun and the curiosity of the experience. I would try to play more games with the 800 to 1000 rating range, but balance it out with an equal number of games with the 1000 - 1400 rating range.

There is so much in the books as written that you don't need to wait to begin your study.  I lost a game a couple of weeks back to a player rated 200 points higher than me, but I was up a piece and headed for a win when I gave the game away.  It bothered me a lot.  A whole lot.  But I took that loss and redoubled my study.  So the loss had value for me, as disheartening as it was.  I also spend a lot of time in tactics trainer.

Bruce, assuming you like playing chess, do you enjoy studying it, too? These days there are so many enjoyable ways to study besides books: chess videos, Chess Trainer, Computer Workout, Chess Mentor, etc.  This site gives you access to some chess videos, but there are more at chessvideos.tv and chessclub.com, and lots that you can purchase outright, if you want.

When I feel my play getting stale or stuck at a plateau, I stop playing and study using some of these great tools--often for months at a time. When I feel I've learned something significant, I play again. Generally, my play has come up a notch, and that's encouraging.

you never forget how to play, and it takes a long time to improve.  My dad kicked my tail around a chess board for many many months before I beat him for the first time, then I started winning a lot more.  Joined the chess club in school and got my tail kicked around some more...

Like anything worth doing, it takes time to become good at it...keep plugging away and you'll pick up more and more as you move along.

Play if you want to.

I will say one thing: If you think chess isn't for you, it definitely is for you! We learn from our mistakes and whenever we make one we know that next time we won't make that happen again.

It's probably been said, but play if you're having fun.  If you stop having fun, take a break, come back if you feel like it.