What rating is a good time to start focusing on getting a title?

Oh no, if I see a potential sacrifice on the board that even has a small chance of working, I feel compelled to do it. A little devil standing over my shoulder says "do it! do it! just do it!" It usually fails spectacularly, but that's one of my best skills!

And to think I was going to invite you to my next party....

Lol...no.  I'm already retired with a comfortable income, thanks.  And I do play chess, which I do about as well as can be done without devoting any study time to it and while having "100% fun".

Career in chess... good one!! I'll have to remember that.

I might wish I were younger because youth is wasted on the young , but not because I want a re-do of my life or to remake myself as Bobby Fischer or something.

@ChesswithNikolay will make a great career in chess. With a little practive, he will become a very good manager at the canteen of a large chess club.

I actually know someone with a career in chess. She helps organize tournaments, does clerical stuff, and just generally does whatever needs to be done at the chess center. She loves chess and is rated about 800. There's hope for anyone who wants a career in chess.

Edit: just checked her rating. She's over 900 now!

For a fun (but not scientifically accurate, by any means) test, you can play against Shredder online, on "Hard" level, without any takebacks:

https://www.shredderchess.com/online/play-chess-online.html

On "Hard" mode, Shredder online is supposed to be roughly 2200 Elo (the strength of an entry-level master).

(And for anyone wondering: "Easy" mode = 1000 Elo, "Medium" mode = 1600 Elo.)

It is not giving any moves after reaching this position:

As you can see, the computer is completely losing even in the medium level. But I am a not 1600 fide rated player. So that means the elo rating is false

What do you mean by entry level master? CM? Or FM?

CM is 2 200 FIDE. But I guess you could say that CM is a titled player, but not technically a master, so you only view FM and above master level players.

Engine ratings are definitely tricky, when it comes to replicating human strength.

Though someone on here emailed Shredder Chess a while ago, and those were the Elo estimates that were provided (Easy - 1000, Medium - 1600, Hard - 2200).

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/shredder-chess-online-hard-mode (See post #14).

Yeah, I thought that is what you mean. Fair enough.

I feel attacked by the "terrible but fun openings" statement...