playing against real people

Here are some tips that might help you improve your game:

https://www.chess.com/blog/nklristic/the-beginners-tale-first-steps-to-chess-improvement

You should play longer games and against real people. Don't worry about the rating. The purpose is that you get a balanced games. So if you start losing games you will have lower rating but you'll get easier opponents. As you learn you will get better and better. 

As for some judgement. If someone says something bad to you, you can report him after the game. Apart from that, if you are not in a chatty mood, you can always disable game chat.

Welcome to the site, good luck improving your game.

Hi Scarlett and welcome to the site. Your rating may fall quickly but as @nklristic says, the aim of the rating system is to match you against players of similar ability. If your rating does fall it will eventually level off at your playing strength and should then slowly rise as you improve. There are thousands of players on the site from complete beginners to Grand Masters, so there will be plenty of people of similar ability keen to play and improve. If anyone is rude or unkind you can disable the chat or block them. You can also report them if you feel it should be escalates.

Ratings go up a down, If it goes down now once you improve it will go back up. 

scarlettb31 wrote:

Only I’m worried my rating will fall really quickly or that I might be judged for my playing skills (or lack thereof lol!!) does anyone have any tips and/or is experiencing something similar?? Thanks

Your rating will adjust to reflect your actual skill. Why would you be afraid of that?

After your rating is stabilized, you'll be paired against people of similar skill, so they won't be "judging" you.

The most important thing to remember is that chess is just another game, you play it to have fun. Don't create unnecessary expectations for yourself and do not bother about what other people may think of your play.

It can be humbling to fail consistently while you wait for your rating to start reflecting your play. But just keep in mind that most of the members here are under 1000. (For some reason exactly two-thirds of them.) You won't get judgement in the chat (assuming you allow chat in the first place), you're only likely to find it here in the forums. I think someone said the other day that if you have a rating of 900 you probably can't tie your shoes. Something like that. Truth is, no one would be here if they weren't smart to begin with. You'll do fine.

Welcome to chess.com, Scarlett! 

Hi! My name is Lauren Goodkind and I’m a chess coach based and chess book author based in California. 

I have tips to help you improve your chess skills so you can win more games.  

I recommend playing with a slow time control, such as game in 30 minutes.  You need time to think.  Beginners tend to make a lot of silly moves with very little time.  This makes sense since there’s a lot of pieces on the board.  
 

I also offer a  free beginner’s free eBook on my website, www.ChessByLauren.com in case you are interested. The book is about asking questions before each move.  
   Before each move, I highly encourage you ask questions before every move such as, “If I move here, is it safe?”, “Can I safely capture a piece?”, and more.  

Also consider all checks and captures on your side and also your opponent’s side. If you are past this stage, then find a forcing winning line.  

Learn basic tactics such as the fork, discovered attack, pin, and more.  I offer interactive puzzles on my website: https://www.chessbylauren.com/two-choice-puzzles.php  

If you are serious about chess, I highly recommend you hiring a chess coach to help you.  
I hope that this helps.  

I've only been judged once. Generally speaking everyone you play is equal in some way if you play enough. You occasionally get a comment like "easy" from some one divorced from the reality of their own rating but they are few and far between.

i have a comp coming who wants to battle me