Just embarrassing

Not asking for pity. But I am absolutely embarrassed given probably thousands of dollars I've spent on books, lessons, and hundreds of hours watching videos how bad I play and my complete lack of improvement over the years. I still enjoy chess, I still enjoy learning, but I never imagined I would suck so much after so much effort.

Thank you for listening.

I mean naturally It Is Pity just by the fact that many people does not even spend 1 cent or does not study so hard as you AND they eventually get better. Maybe you are not so good or maybe you haven moto tried to do something diferente... Whatever It Is , good Is that you enjoy It. It Is only a game, so do not take It seriously AND just keep playing

Circulation and physical fitness are important. Among other things, also for chess. You must set goals. 1st goal for example, cross 1000 elo barriere, choose just one opening for white and just one for black. Now, as you progress further, it's harder for example 1100-1200 to cross then 1000-1100. The moment you cross 1000, just basic opening principles, tactics and analyzing without engine. Even better players going back to fundamentals from time to time. To occupy/take squares you must have at least one more attacker than opponent defenders. Also order of capturing in tactics/combinations. Visualisation skill is naturaly developed but could you imagine at least one and half moves ahead? - There are separate places on net for training of visualisation (calculation per se - e.t. imagining without moving pieces on the board physically...). Warning - there is veeeeery little literature for level just behind 1000 elo. Now please, listen my advice. Yasser Serawan books, 1st will be enough for you + tactic excercises + rapids 30 min with you analayzing your games, while fresh and just looking for tactical blunders (blunder is even not taking opponent's hanging piece). After 1000, you will reach 1100 just by tactics. After 1100, to reach 1200 is the matter who made less blunders. Use "CCT" - Checks, Captures, Treats: I'm choosing the move - could I check the king, no... then could I capture something (to improve my position, gain matterial or simmilar, of course), no. Then could I make meaningful treat, no. Then I will look just to improve the least active piece...
P.S.: Of course don't check just because you can, or capture, etc. Four elements of the game to be aware of according to beforementioned author and his 1st book. One must be aware that something exists to be able to read about.
P.S.2: I'm talking about "rapid" time controls in the sense of "elo-s". Blitz is of course a whole different story...

I feel you man. I hope you will improve.

Although this may be hypocritical considering my title, I feel you. Started off as a prodigy destined for greatness. Then fell off hard after being stagnant for 3 years. A lot of money goes into education, and it's always a gamble.

Every hour watching bad videos (most are terrible) subtracts five hours from your quality study time. Hence, if you watch 30 minutes of Gotham and study Jeremy Silman for 2 1/2 hours, you are where you started. Maybe revisit your learning process and avoid things that make you worse.

...but...BUT...if u watch the backyard professor u can dance at the beginning AND thee end !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvzw21_3Hs4

I hear ya man. Some days I get pretty discouraged on a tilt. It's really rough to draw a cheat as an advisory your first game of the day. Sets your whole vibe in a funk. And it seems when you get done that way then you get bummed out and start making mistakes. I usually have to just not play anymore for a while. Many times when I come back fresh ; things are better. Here's to wishing you encouragement and future improvement!!! 😊

The dude played two OTB events in a rural state and earned an impressive 700 rating. Then, he decided that bloviating on YouTube is much better than playing weak kids who crush him.

Someone who only studies will be worse than someone who only plays. You can’t bake a cake only with the recipe. In the end, you will never be able to escape playing the game. The moment you start playing a lot, you will get better. Might take a while, but you will.

Nothing better than advice from players who cannot get over 1500.

Nothing better than advice from players who take the time to put down others for being bad at a board game.

Dear dardaii:

Please don't take it to heart. Many players, after all that, feel the same way.

What's just as important is that it is not a reflection of your intelligence.

I've always made it to the top 1 to 3 on all the I.Q. tests I've taken (that's many because I'm 1/2 century years old). I've been a member here for over 5-1/2 years with over 24,000 games. Yet, so far, there hasn't been much of an improvement; and my rating is still low. It's not just the blunders, but also my dysfunctional mouse (a very expensive gaming mouse) that moves pieces in wrong squares. Although, as far as blunders, there is an improvement when I don't stress out on personal matters. Nonetheless, I empathize with you.

Honesty hurts when you are dishonest with yourself.

I was dishonest, saying I’m bad? I’m flattered.

Wasn’t responding to you saying you’re bad. It was your sage advice.

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I suspect that someone who only plays will always be far worse than someone who only studies. Having done both for 48 years and having beaten at least 200 masters, I might have some credibility. I might have even more having taught hundreds of children and noticed what happens to those who only play. They never get over 1100.
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I’ve only had one student who only studies. She was probably at least 1300 in fifth grade. As a Seventh Day Adventist, our Saturday tournaments were never possible for her.

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But, there are hundreds of thousands of players here better than me. Their views should be considered more seriously.

Thank you for sharing

Chess improvement isn't easy for sure. Years ago, a lot of the thing holding people back were chess resources and information. Now with so much quality chess information out there and online being a massive resource in itself, the situation has changed. Now the ones who improve the most are the ones who puts the most work into learning and the ones able to best make use of this information and these resources.

If you've been playing regularly over the years, then it is also possible that you've reinforced a lot of bad habits or haven't used each chess game lost as the opportunity to learn which it is.

This is nothing to feel bad about. You've probably gained lots of valuable playing experience and gained a ton of chess knowledge many others lack. All you need to do is assess where you might be held back and then help you work on that to improve.

A chess coach could help you with this, but so could a friendly chess buddy who is higher rated and willing to help. If you like, we could play some unrated live chess sometime and I could review the games afterwards for more tailored advice.