I've played against really poor, illiterate, casual players in Southeast Asia I'd rate as at least 1400 USCF.
Self-taught players
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ProfBlunderer wrote:
Do you know if there are/were any self-taught players? I mean, they learn only by studying on their own and analyzing their games, without teacher, coaches, etc..
Me 
nebunulpecal wrote:
ProfBlunderer wrote:
Do you know if there are/were any self-taught players? I mean, they learn only by studying on their own and analyzing their games, without teacher, coaches, etc..
Me
me threee
I am!
Seriously though, I would think that you learn stuff better if you learn it yourself, IMO.
Astonomer99,
I was not being abusive to Profblunderer - indeed we communicate. But my argument can hardly be faulted. I am not say "do NOT get a personal coach" but "first consider the US $100 and become a premium member of Chess.com". A personal coach, unless you are on free legal-aid, will cost many times that amount.
As for my low rating, I am just returning from Chess after a 30-year gap. But I have been playing reasonably well (9-1-10), considering I lost 2 games through playing when too tired (I should have had some sleep & continued the next day) and 2 games because of a dammed mouse slip (in one game, my rook landed on a back-rank square, in a perfect position for my opponent to insert a knight fork - he must have thought I was Father Christmas!
Finally, I know more than most other people, because I know that I know nothing! But I may learn something by dedicating myself to the pursuit of true knowledge (Socrates)
Astonomer99, may I kindly ask if we can play a game. You may find that I am not a pushover, and even if I lose, I will not mind because I am seeking to learn.
ProfBlunderer,
I still keep goimg back to your ratings (1250 to 1350) and reflect on gaps in your learning. And the absence of online chess and Chess Mentor experience is just so bleeding obvious.
Really, why would you be even thinking of a personal coach (which will cost heaps),when premium membership of Chess.com is only $100 per year, and will immediately start to fill the void in your chessic learning?
Talk about abuse from the peanut gallery! I hover my pointer over your name for a result of Live Standard 1106. The other guy is odds on to beat you.