Debate Topic: Can ANYBODY reach 2000?

I had this conversation with some friends a few weeks ago. I asserted that a 2000 rating is only achievable by a certain group of people with a certain set of natural abilities. I have a real problem when people say that anybody and everybody could potentially reach 2000. Some people simply have no sense for this game. I see people posting on here all the time about how they can't progress past 3 or 400 ELO when that is in fact one of the easiest things to do. I see people who have been unable to Eclipse 1000 even after 10 years on the site. Some people have a natural ability and many have a natural inability for the game. Whether it be how people's brains are wired or just lacking certain skills such as pattern recognition, memorization, calculation Etc I think it is somewhat irresponsible to say that anyone can reach that level of play. It's almost like telling somebody who is a terrible singer that they could win American Idol. That's not to say one shouldn't sing if they enjoy it, one should play chess if they enjoy it as well. But if your goal is Improvement and achieving a high level as a player then the reality of what that will cost should be apparent. A lot of time and a lot of study and hard work. The latter of which some people are basically incapable of. So I'm interested to know what others May think. I do not value or contend that my opinion is the truth in any way. It is simply my perception based on observations made over the last year on this website. And I would be very curious to learn what other people's perceptions are. Do you think anybody and everybody has the capability of playing chess at a high level or does it take a certain kind of person with  natural ability?

By the way I'm only 1407 rapid rated. I still consider myself a beginner and far away from the level of players I've described here.

Be well and best vibes to you all. 🙏 

I am 2000 and I certainly don't view myself as having any natural abilities or being good at chess. I believe anyone with a sound mind has the ability to reach 2000. However, it does require dedicating a lot of time into chess and not everyone has the time or inclination to do it. For that reason, yes very few will reach 2000 but not because they lack any mental abilities. That's my opinion of course I could be wrong

There is a strong tendency for people to view their own experiences as normal because those are the only experiences that they have to go on.

When an experienced player says anyone can reach a certain rating level, it is more of a reflection on their own experiences than anything else, because what they have achieved doesn't feel anything special to them and they are still often dissatisfied with the mistakes they make as is everyone else. This holds true whether the person is rated 1800, 2200 or 2600.

To get to the higher levels there are many personal qualities that are needed that the majority of the population do not have. The average person values many other things above their chess, and limits their chess potential but helps them to be more successful in other areas of their lives.

In my opinion, you are way overvaluing natural abilities, and undervaluing hard work. Sure, some people have serious mental deficiencies that will prevent them being good at chess. The vast majority don't fall into this category at all. An average person can achieve quite a lot if he studies as much as one hour every week. And a lot more if it is one hour every day. And a lot  more if it is 8 hours every day.

Also, your metaphor about Idol is way off. The equivalent of 2000 Elo is not winning the show, but only entering the qualifiers and not be loudly laughed at.

For me personally not anytime soon lmao

Anybody can reach 2000. Those Who are not capable of crossing 400 or 1000 are not taking chess seriously/ don t train/ don t train the right way. Reaching a 2000 chess com rating is something anyone can do. It just takes time and practice. The problem with most of you îs that you don t actually know what training really means that s ehy you don t progress

dude I was 300s, and I reached 1000 both on blitz and rapid after 6+ months of painstaking puzzles and readings. It is tough, but just do it with your own pace, have fun and enjoy the journey

I believe anyone of average intelligence should have the capacity to reach 2000, yes.

But it requires dedication. And, to some degree, sacrifice. You have to be willing to sacrifice some aspects of your life to the game. Your social life, for example. Or your other pursuits. The number of people, in the general population, who are willing to do this? A relatively small percentage.

You also need to strive to learn - not just to play. Chess is a learned skill, with very specific established patterns and ideas. Don't try to reinvent the wheel - try to learn from those who already have done so.

If you were to look at the chess habits of 2000+ rated players, compared to players below them, you'll often see a difference in both the amount of time spent on chess - and the quality of that time.

A lot of players spend an inordinate amount of time playing, and very little time studying.

Higher-rated players, though, often spend a large amount of time studying, too. Chess improvement isn't just fun and games. It's often studious, analytical work - and trusting that the work will eventually pay off ...

re: the highlighted parts:

Yeah, that's my answer. Not everyone can get to 2000... but it's not just about hardware. Most people have the hardware (memory, calculation, whatever) but they don't have the personality for it (to love chess enough that they keep playing and learning for 10 years).

After 1-3 years most people will get to something like 1000-1500 and they wont care enough about chess to improve beyond that.

It depends. Starting from birth? Yes. Otherwise? Maybe not.

I see the same difference (qualty and amount of time) when I compare myself to titled players

Same!

So, I fell from my peak ratings here (over 2000) because I like to hunt and fish? I fell just short of 2000 OTB because I was unwilling to travel to chess tournaments where I needed a hotel?

I think you’re right.

There's no room in a player's life for hunting and fishing. There's only the 64 squares, and nothing else. Sacrifice yourself on the altar of chess.

Kidding, of course.

But maintaining a certain rating is of course going to require a certain amount of continual work (unfortunately). Look at what happened to Levy Rozman, once he started focusing on YouTube streaming, and began spending less time studying and training. His OTB performance fell off a cliff ...

 @magipi Interesting. I appreciate your input. I should say, I mentioned hard work as being essential to the process as well. 

I'm enjoying the responses I've read and there's a lot of good perspectives for me to draw on here. 

Thanks again everyone. 

Well, as many others have already said: sure, most people can reach 2000-isch in chess. As long as they are willing to put in the work needed. And unfortunately, that isn't equal amount for everyone. Some can get away with just playing online for 1-2 hours a day (because they analyze and remember their misstakes while playing) while others might need a structured plan with 3-4 hours a day with games, analysis, reading theory, doing tactics and removing their misstakes and bad habits. 

Most people don't really want to do the second one, continue to just play online by doing same misstakes again and again, and after 10 years they are still on the same level. Isn't much stranger than people who complain about how they never lose weight and never get stronger at the gym while they never keep an honest training and eating diary. 

https://www.chess.com/club/official-canada-chess-team

@Ultimate-trashtalker

I agree. I took up lessons from a coach a while ago and it has definitely helped me progress faster than I could have on my own. We meet twice a week and I can't say enough good things about it.

Memory, spatial reasoning, patience, practice, time, perseverance, ... what else?