playing chess and getting old?

Question

When i was younger, i played a good game of Chess. I have always played occasionaly, but just with friends who were not good. My last 50 or so games i played against real people were at parties so my mind set was bad. Now at 45, I can not play good at all. Am I out of practice or getting old or What?

Answer 1

I am 51 and several years ago I played a guy everyday at work...until I lost TEN GAMES IN A ROW!!! :( I felt probably like you feel now. But recently I've started back playing him again because I've been reading a great chess book by Susan Polgar called "Chess Tactics For Champions." It has been a real eye opener for me and now my friend and I are on our third game since we started back playing...I won the first two!!! YAY!

So don't lose heart. We all go through lulls.

The book is available at Barnes & Noble for $17. I'll bet your game will improve if you read it. Mine did after only reading the first ten pages!!!!!

Good luck with your game.

By the way.....you're way too young to start thinking you're old!!!!

Answer 2

Don't worry about it! If you want to be good at chess, sit down where you are relaxed, play some soft music, and playagainst a computer, or do something simple. You can get a book on different strategies, too...I myself have never been that hardcore, but I think that it would very easy to pick up on that style of learning.

Learning chess is a GREAT way to make friends...see if there is a local chess club of some sort, and go and get your tail whipped a few times. If you keep going, even though you're not that great, people will think more highly of you. People will help out, and you will pick up on patterns on your own. Part of it is a mentality that only comes from experience, something that you can acheive with some work.

Getting older...not a big deal. Be proud of how old you are...a lot of people don't make it that far, and even if some of the young whippersnappers out there can kick your butt in chess, you sure have lived a lot longer! That's something to be proud of!
I'd say you're just out of practice. You don't play that much (or so it sounds), and when you do play, you said you weren't playing against people who challenged you. Thus, you weren't really thinking, and havne't played against someone who may anticipate your moves as much.

I would say you are just out of practice. I'm 50 and have been playing online for about 2 years and my game has improved quite a bit.

You just need to stop playing for a while ,and you half to read some chess books and notes including best games ,good situations ,and other basic info. it will sound unnecessary but it is v. important.
then play with moderate player 1 or 2 games then start playing with the strong players.

I am 51 and several years ago I played a guy everyday at work...until I lost TEN GAMES IN A ROW!!! :( I felt probably like you feel now. But recently I've started back playing him again because I've been reading a great chess book by Susan Polgar called "Chess Tactics For Champions." It has been a real eye opener for me and now my friend and I are on our third game since we started back playing...I won the first two!!! YAY!

So don't lose heart. We all go through lulls.

The book is available at Barnes & Noble for $17. I'll bet your game will improve if you read it. Mine did after only reading the first ten pages!!!!!

Good luck with your game.

By the way.....you're way too young to start thinking you're

I've been playing chess since the mid-50's.I'veplayed in over 400 uscf rated games. My rating OTB has been close to 2100. I lovethe gameas much as ever! I play everyday online and enjoy myself but at72 I can'tplay as I did when I was younger. Korchnoi is the only elder player who has been able to continue playing at a very high level.

Answer 3

Don't worry about it! If you want to be good at chess, sit down where you are relaxed, play some soft music, and play against a computer, or do something simple. You can get a book on different strategies, too...I myself have never been that hardcore, but I think that it would very easy to pick up on that style of learning.

Learning chess is a GREAT way to make friends...see if there is a local chess club of some sort, and go and get your tail whipped a few times. If you keep going, even though you're not that great, people will think more highly of you. People will help out, and you will pick up on patterns on your own. Part of it is a mentality that only comes from experience, something that you can acheive with some work.

Getting older...not a big deal. Be proud of how old you are...a lot of people don't make it that far, and even if some of the young whippersnappers out there can kick your butt in chess, you sure have lived a lot longer! That's something to be proud of!

Hope that helps! Good luck!

Answer 4

well chess is a game not only involving mind strength but also practice. with every new game u will improve. it may be ur lack of confidence which is letting u done and hampering the scope of learning. winning or losing is not the main stuff the essence is learning with it. and ur age which is not much in my view is ur plus point. with age u learn to cope up with situation, get experience while adopting strategies, get more apt in application. that all is applicable in chess.

as far as technical know how are concerned u can learn them as r easily available in books and on different gaming sites.

u can check out for majority of good clubs and sites on fide website.

just play don't worry about its being good or bad, n at the end of this exercise u will be the winner.
ITS ALL ABOUT APPROACH

Answer 5

You just need to stop playing for a while ,and you half to read some chess books and notes including best games ,good situations ,and other basic info. it will sound unnecessary but it is v. important.
then play with moderate player 1 or 2 games then start playing with the strong players.

Answer 6

I've been playing chess since the mid-50's.I'veplayed in over 400 uscf rated games. My rating OTB has been close to 2100. I lovethe gameas much as ever! I play everyday online and enjoy myself but at72 I can'tplay as I did when I was younger. Korchnoi is the only elder player who has been able to continue playing at a very high level.

Answer 7

I would say you are just out of practice. I'm 50 and have been playing online for about 2 years and my game has improved quite a bit.

Answer 8

You are out of practice. You practice and you can play good chess.

Answer 9

I'd say you're just out of practice. You don't play that much (or so it sounds), and when you do play, you said you weren't playing against people who challenged you. Thus, you weren't really thinking, and havne't played against someone who may anticipate your moves as much.

Answer 10

Its necesary practice. Visit http://www.todoajedrez.com.ar