Real Improvement Is Not Possible for Many of Us

If you started as a kid, like I did, and never really excelled (like me), I believe there's no way to become an expert (2000), much less a master. At this point, I believe your chess brain is what it is. 

I've been taking lessons from a master and he's helped me see the game better and differently, and I've gained 200 points in Rapid to around 1150, but I know in my heart I can never really go much higher. I can watch all the videos I want, take all the lessons I want and review each game, but in the end I'll never really get better. I can't see more than two moves ahead and I have very limited spatial thinking ability, which I believe is crucial. I've seen my master friends in over-the-board games analyze the game afterwards and then move all the pieces back to where they were from memory, and I'm amazed. 

I know you can train from an early age like the Polgar sisters did and become a master, but my point is adults who were mediocre as kids and as adults are topped out. 

Chess improvement like anything else in life will depend on how much time, effort, drive and passion you have and put into it. I'm 62 and my goal is to make Expert. I have a coach, study actively, not passively. I use a real board, pieces, books, pen and paper. Will I make it? We will see. But your mental outlook is a huge part of your growth and success. If you don't think you can then you won't.

Also if all you're going to play is speed chess. Then yes you are correct. You won't improve.

I looked at your Game History and it's impressive! I still have too many Game Ratings in the 50s and 60s. It would be cool to be 2000 but I can never do that. I was 1456 USCF 30 years ago which I understand is as strong as an 1100 today. As much as I've played, practiced, studied and took lessons you would think I could get to maybe 1500 on chess.com but I don't see how.

By the way LieutenantFrankColumbo you're probably right that I play too many Blitz games but I've gotten to the point I don't care about losing on time as this is more for practice for my Rapid rating, but I do need to play more longer time controls.

There is a way you can, You just need to improve. If you don't give up, Then maybe You can still become a strong chess player.

The older you get, The Harder it is to improve, Start Playing and learning now, As it will get harder in the future.

Mark do and play what makes the game fun for you. All I'm saying if you want to improve you'll need to cut back on the speed chess and play slower time controls like G45 at the very least. And thank you for the compliment. But give anyone with decent ability 3 days per move and it will generally turn out well.

I have a few reasons for wanting to make Expert. I peaked briefly as a USCF A player and enjoyed the level of competition. But when you deal with anxiety and childhood trauma I get overwhelmed very easily. So I quit chess for 6 years. Picked it back up this past July, started enjoying it again and decided to set a goal. Studying is difficult for me, so I have to break things down into smaller segments. It's a journey that I'm learning to adapt to. I would like to make my goal of 2000, but if I don't it won't be for lack of effort. Also being 62 I do this for the mental exercise. I want to stay as mentally sharp as I can.

So your coach helped you improve a lot, and then you just gave up.

If anything, your story proves the exact opposite of what you're suggesting.

He didn't explicit state that he gave up.

The whole opening post is about giving up.

How so? Am I dumb?

I suspect that we all have a ceiling, and that progress beyond this is only possible by devoting so much time and effort to studying the game, that it may well cease to be fun. Indeed just remaining at that level could also be miserable.

All depends what you want from chess I think.

You could say the same for most activities really.

I disagree on the first point. Master may be out of reach for many, but 2000 is demonstrably achievable. I learnt chess age 6, played very little, just with my grandfather. Did a school tournament at 11, then quit for over half a decade. I started playing again in Covid, and have since gone from probably 1200 level to a peak rating of 2025, and still improving (I hope!). Don't give up hope.

Pope-of-bishops, you are correct. I never said I was "giving up" or even giving up trying to improve. I'm 63 and realize that those who are 2000 just perceive the game far better than I can.

growth mindset

I don’t have any visualization abilities, and my spatial awareness is pretty bad, too. I rarely think more than 2 moves ahead, as well. And I’ve been able to reach 2500 blitz.
My secret? A lot of playing, a lot of losing, and a lot of analyzing afterward.
I try to learn one new thing from each game - something practical and memorable. And I will analyze a game for as long as it takes until I can find that one new thing. (The key is finding a new insight each time - not something you already know.)
I believe this is the real trick - having the diligence and motivation to sit at the analysis board for a long time, exploring the carcass of a game you just played, like an autopsy where you are trying to see how the body ticks.
Then it’s a matter of building these new discoveries from each game into your previous knowledge, like constructing a wall - one brick at a time …