Berkmaster wrote:
I started chess at 32 and am currently rated 1917 USCF. I have been playing chess for just under 5 years.
Way to go! Lot of time to practice in the summers right? :)
What does it take to get to a 2000-2200 rated player? Really.
Sort:
Berkmaster wrote:
I started chess at 32 and am currently rated 1917 USCF. I have been playing chess for just under 5 years.
The Son of Sam?
letsgohome wrote:
Jesse_Marku wrote:
I'd give you a personal example. I studied Arts. I'm an artist, and I draw. When I entered a contest to earn the Arts' scolarship among the first 60 to qualify I was ranked 26. It disapointed me as I though of myself to be better than most, or the best. Realizing my skills were average just enough to make it humbled me, yet game mea huge motivation. There was this guy who was ranked 1st, and by coincidence he was asigned in the same class I was. To tell he was a talented guy is an understatement. He was exeptionally good. He was ahead of the rest by at least 2 years. When we drew the models given to us I would often compare my artworks with his, and the difference was stark. I had no chance. Other peers would literally surround him and watch in awe of his work, while I was there in the empty corner watching him enjoying the attention while a helplessnes feeling would burn inside coupled with envy and anger toward the lack of my abilities. But I was determined to surpass that guy. By the end of the 4 years I wanted to turn the tables. As crazy as I though that thinking was, I never gave up that goal. Every day he would be there to remind my weakness and test my resole. I would find myself practicing every single day for hours. Sometimes for 6 hours straight after school. I became very demanding of myself. I'd picture him in my mind mocking me, and as a result I'd work even harder. I'd meet my professor in lunch time when others were eating or having fun, and spend some more time even after the school. Gradually his artwork wouldn't impress me anymore, and I realized why. My skills were refined, my technique was well rounded and my efforts were showing. Suddenly I started having others pass by and stop to admire my work. By the 3rd year I was the center of attention, and by the end of the 4th year in the final test, not only I was placed 1st, but I was offered another higher scholarship where only the finests artists would atend, and I had the honor to be praised by the director of the school himself as a rare talent that weren't seen in the school for years. That guy was placed second, and little improvement were shown after 4 years. Sorry for the long post, but if you really love chess and you have set a goal to achieve, then put in the effort and you won't regret it
Congratulations, this is a testament to the adage desire(to work hard) trumps talent.
Maybe you missed this part:
"When I entered a contest to earn the Arts' scolarship among the first 60 to qualify I was ranked 26."
Kasporov_Jr wrote:
first of all, if it takes you longer than 2 years to reach 1500~ rating, chess isnt for you.
Any reasonably educated young person with a college degree can (if they learned chess at an earlier age) reach USCF B class with a fair amount of effort (and probably within 2 to 3 years, maximum).
Otherwise, consider throwing in the towel and choosing a different game. The Royal Game probably ain't for you.
Regarding USCF 2000+, only 4 percent of active players in the U.S. reach that level.
As for 2200+, why hasn't anyone mentioned that many of these players end up with incredibly one-dimensional personalities, and reduced career and livelihood prospects, not unlike ballet dancers without rich family patrons.
Yes, the game has boundless beauty. So what. It also has a dark side -- reflecting fantasies about how much "anyone can improve in X amount of time." Get over it.
Many aspire to achieve Master levels. Very few succeed.
Have at it. But (please) save yourself all these keystrokes.
zborg wrote:
As for 2200+, why hasn't anyone mentioned that many of these players end up with incredibly one-dimensional personalities, and reduced career and livelihood prospects.
And that they enjoy their life more than some monkey in a suit sitting in a cubicle all day wondering what might have been 
Steryotypes aside, many strong players achieved most of it as a child or young adult and didn't have to sacrifice family, friends or schooling.
Have at it. But (perhaps) save yourself all these navel gazing keystrokes. Your choice.
Well, it's a forum, this is where people come to spend keystrokes and sometimes disagree.
It's a good point about personality and career, but I could say the same to you (that you're missing the forest for the trees). Society might judge that the person is unhappy but the individual is doing something they love.
Have at it? I'll let you know how it turns out
Indeed, play more than zero games in 3months and you might learn something.
Hehe, you're right. I just use chess.com forums to burn time right now. Maybe I should play some games so people don't think I'm a forum troll or something.
Oh, and that I burn time by doing frivolous stuff like getting on the forums vs burning time e.g. with my face in some chess book isn't lost on me. It is probably a good indicator that I wont break 2200. I mean, I have the excuses I tell myself of course...
Jul 3, 2014
0
#193
I was lucky. I was arrested for fraud and spent 2 years in prison. Lots of study time there.
I wouldn't even read chess books if I went to prison.
I would certainly read and write, but not chess books. :)
Are you allowed to have an actual board?
Ah. I would play some chess then. Also teach the other guys how to play. Just not a big fan of chess books.
Hopefully they would give me 30 minutes a day to post nonsense and pointless philosophy on chess forums.
Jul 3, 2014
0
#199
Well, when i lost the first day to a guy with no 8th grade education, having degrees in Physics and Math myself, I was slightly perturbed.
I finished reading over 25 books in those 2 years and ended up winning the annual chess tournament.
From what to what ?