I know there are other threads out there about not improving and being stuck, but I'm convinced no story is as scary as this. Not even asking specifically for advise to fix my problem, but mainly what anyone might think be the plausible cause(s). Here's some background. I started playing chess at age 5. In between then and seven months ago, I'd played a lot very sporadically and studied almost none. The minimal studying and thousands of games in the past seemed to have barely improved me, but eight months ago I'd decided to give studying an honest try.
I hear people say that one should easily climb past 1500 or 1600 with simple tactical skills gained through puzzles. So I started solving puzzles. Steadily improved and made it past a puzzle rating of 2000 over those seven months and 48 combined hours. I also read a couple chapters from Nimzovich's 'My System' about passed pawns, pawn chains, discover checks, etc, and went above and beyond by studying a bit of opening theory, watching masters' games, and analyzing most of my games. I play a lot of bullet, but have been doing rapid as well and trying to implement my new tactical skills, which I know I have. I encourage anyone to look at my stats. My rapid rating is barely higher than when I started my account six years ago. It is improving slightly, but at this rate it'll take a year to reach 1400.
I'm really interested to understand what's going on mentally with me. When I play against someone say 1500, they seem almost infallible. I can hardly catch mistakes and take advantage. I know they're making tactical mistakes though. I, on the other hand, exert so much energy on every move, but will slip up on one or two moves which the other player will instantly take advantage of. I think I might be a less visually oriented person than average. Is it possible for someone to just posses an immutable inability to play chess? Is this normal? I don't think I'm doing anything wrong.
No based on your bullet rating you do not lack ability. However you are applying your ability in the wrong way i.e. playing for time and thereby avoiding variations which give you advantage but which will take time to calculate. So you have to do a 180 degree turn and completely quit bullet.
. Worst tilt ever. If I keep playing rapid I'll be 1200 as well. I guess all progress is in vain. Maybe I'll take a 1 week break.
6 years here and 6000+ games of speed chess. And you cant figure out why youre stuck?
Stuck under 1500 for a few years with a total of 19,618 games on chesscom as of this post!