To those who wish they started playing when they were younger, read this…

Many of us didn’t start playing chess at 4-5 years old, and we often feel regret because of the potential we missed out on. Some players didn’t even pick up the game until their 20’s, and wonder if they’ll ever be an expert chess player. They often wish they started younger, and this causes many people to quit over this regret and feeling that they’ll never be good enough.

So I want you to watch this video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/aHs6xlm8K90

“They say, ‘God, I wish I started when I was younger.’ I go: ‘Yeah, well you didn’t. So shut the **** up and let’s keep going!” - Joe Rogan

This sentiment can be applied to every aspect of life, and of course to those of us who feel like we will never reach the levels we want to because we “didn’t start when we were younger”. The answer to this question shouldn’t be “oh you still have time” or this or that, it should be: you didn’t, but you are now.

cheers 

noice post even though i don't need this as i'm only 13 and started when i was 10

I started playing at five years and stayed bad for six years so yeah

imagine not gaining rating immediately with little coaching *flexs*

not a club advertisement? 👏👏👏

ik hard to imagine viz posting a forum and it isn't an advertisement

noice post even tho I don't need this as I'm only 13 and started playing at 13 

I believe IM Andres Merrario Alarcon only learnt chess at 16. Never too late to start. 

basically the exact same for me

I taught myself to play chess when I was 8, from a Fred Reinfeld book. I didn't have anybody to play with so I taught my sister to play, which sucked because for every game of chess we played I had to play a game of Barbie Dream Date with her. When I was about 19 I found some people at work to play with, then I played my first USCF tournament when I was about 20. My first provisional rating was 1099, if I remember correctly. I couldn't understand how people could have ratings hundreds of points below 1000. It didn't take me too long to reach C class. I played irregularly through the years. Now I'm 67, still C class, playing a little more regularly, and I think I will reach B class this year. Did playing with my sister when I was 8 propel me to the dizzying heights of C class? If I'd had somebody who knew the game teaching me when I was 8 would I be a Master today? Who knows. But I'm having fun and improving. Maybe I'll reach Master someday, maybe I'll just reach B class, I guess I don't really care as long as I'm having fun.

Started at about 7-8yo, played till 11 yo in chess club at school. Hardly ever played for years. Played a lot of nonsense OTB chess in my 20's at uni, Hardly played in my 30's/40's. Took it up again in 2020. I must say, I find it sooo much more enjoyable with all the technology assistance you can get these days when trying to improve. Back in the day all you had were puzzles and mnemonics for principles, like 'knights before bishops,' or 'line up you rooks with the opponent queen, no matter how many pieces intervene.' Our school chess coaches would probably rate 1000 to 1100 here. People used to think 1200 was impressive. 

I started at 7, had a coach come in and teach the family chess for a year, played on the high school team, and I still stink. I do like playing, though.

Joe Rogan's quote implies that if you just keep going you will succeed. Ugh. Motivational poster bilge. When you see the vultures circling overhead, hope may not be warranted.

Then, at age 14, I hit the books and a year later I was 2200 online

Virgin millennial vs Chad Joe rogaine  

Sure sure, "best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, second best is now". And it's never too late to enjoy a new hobby but realistically, if someone in their 20's ask "can I become higher titled player (>= NM)?" the answer is no. Because for most people the time when they could spend 8 hours+ a day on a hobby was before they were done with school/college.

EDIT: added a question mark so that it's more clear.

Answer to what question? There was no question.

I like the game, thats enough for me, I am on a general upwards trend but I don't mind really.

And the question "can i become really good starting as adult" is implied in the original post, otherwise people wouldn't quit.

that's not a flex, that's you being a rich a-hole who was really fortunate