I started in the state junior champ in 1961 with a rating of about 1665 and peaked 15 yrs later at 2095. Correspondence ratings with the old Chess Review and later CCLA followed a similar pattern. That was pre-Fischer boom and the rating floor (lowest rating you could get OTB) was 1200. There were only about 5000 USCF members and very few were under-rated kids waiting to take your rating points! BTW my Life membership in the USCF cost me $100.
I played in scholastic competition and one adult event in the 1970s without acquiring a rating, and also played in some USCF correspondence matches. I didn't acquire a rating however until early 1996, and by the time I had exited provisional status (late 1996) I was mid- to high 1400s (class C). I finally clambered into class B (1600) last fall. My USCF CC rating, on the other hand started at 2100 and slowly settled to a bit over 1800, but I'm still provisional until I complete one more game, and I haven't played USCF CC since 1999. The rating from that late 1970s was never established and did not count in my 1990s rating. I established a IECC rating in the mid-1700s a few years ago, but have finished only one game with them since I began playing at the likes of RHP.
I may not be higher rated, but I like answer these questions.
Full history here
http://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlTnmtHst.php?12729704
My first provisional rating was 877
My first non provisional rating was 1081
My rating is currently 1676 (although it will drop when this weekends tournament is rated).
Originally posted by prosoccerIf you mean OTB rating, I haven't started playing OTB yet. I started to learn chess in November 2004. I joined TFC in April 2005, and my first rating here was in the 1400s, as you can see in my graph. I believe my current rating (1682) is somewhat inflated.
I was wondering where some of the higher rated players were when they first began the game (rating wise) and how long it took you to get where you are right now.
Started out playing for school then local club at age 7. Peaked at age 15 with a rating of 1850.
Then moved to different school. Discovered girls.
Now 12 years later with a baby on the way I'm finding chess is calling once more. Hoping to get to 2000 eventually if I can juggle the job enough to get some OTB time at the local club.
First played in grade 6 during recess. Didn't know how the pieces moves and kept asking can I move this , can i do this etc...
Picked up a chess book, next time it was raining during recess, wasted that same person. He never played me again.
Didn't play chess much till First year of Univ. Was just goofing around on yahoo playing dumb blitz games and not learning. So that was for 2 years.
Joined a chess club after that been 2 years now, Started taking chess seriously and studying 2 hours a day average, reading tons of chess books, tons of tactic puzzles 2000+ puzzles i'd say and playing slow OTB and Rhp games and I should be Class A 1800 + come next rating period, March 8 hopefully and be on my cities top 20 list. I wish it happens, so close!
So I would say 2 serious years of chess and 1800ish.
prosoccer,
if you must know, it takes about 5-6 years (at early age, say you start at age 7 or 10 at most) of serious training to become a strong player ('strong' = master level and higher).
If you are older, it may take you less time, since you can usually make progress faster. so, about 3-4 years of serious training.
For some it takes longer (if ever) some less.
From 'beginning master' (say CM) to a 'strong master' (say IM) - about 1-2 years of serious chess. Usually 2 years.
From 'strong master' to 'extra strong master ' (a.k.a GM level) it usually takes about 2-3 years of additional serious chess.
So... now you know, are you ready to invest your time?
(no promises).
P.S.
If you're a chess prodigy, then it will take you about half the time :-)
just my 2c.
