Preface: Sorry, I'm a bit longwinded...
Learning anything in any subject takes on a similar pattern: At the beginning, when you know nothing, you learn a great deal very quickly, and the progress is easy to see. The sense of achievement is always there. Then, you reach a certain very basic understanding where suddenly the progress feels much more incremental, and it is very easy to lose the enthusiasm or patience for continuing to learn. You hit plateaus where you're not sure you've learned anything new in forever. But repetition is the path to understanding, and eventually you'll notice that you've gradually picked up more than you realise.
You don't have to put a ton of effort into chess to gradually get better, just keep playing. Take just a few moments after each game to see where Stockfish says you screwed up. You'll probably forget it and it will happen again, but you'll look at the analysis that time too and realise perhaps that you made the same sort of mistake again. Then you'll probably make the mistake again, it might happen several times, but then eventually you'll recognise the same pattern and it will dawn on you that you know, at the very least, what not to do. And so on.
You can only get better at chess by playing.
I would love to share a part of introduction from the book "Chess and Checkers: The Way To Mastership" written by Edward Lasker.
"The faculty which is developed by playing Chess is useful wherever logical thinking and concentration are needed, and it cannot be denied that these qualities are most desirable in the every day struggle in which mental work has so largely superseded manual labor.
The thoughtful playing of the game not only cultivates the logical quality and imaginative power of the mind but also tends to develop strength of character. It teaches us not to be hasty in our decisions, but to exercise foresight at all times as we must abide by all consequences of our actions. Moreover, we learn from it circumspection which causes us to survey the whole scene of action and does not allow us to lose ourselves in detail; we also learn not to be discouraged by reverses in our affairs but to hold out and always search for fresh resources.
Thus, Chess serves a good purpose for young and old. The boy will find it a fascinating pastime and, unconsciously sharpening his wits in playing the game, will acquire a fine preparation for his calling in life, no matter what it may be. For the man, and the woman too, Chess is well worth learning, as it will prove the best companion in hours of leisure."
Thank you for sharing that excerpt, oAbacaxi.
Should I play football even if I am not going to be a professional?
Should I lift weights even though I will never be scotland's strongest man
Should I sing Karaoke even though I will never win x-factor .(maybe I could)
Play chess if it rocks your boat :)
Yes, the original question was obtuse.
Thank you, guys for answering.
I want to make clear the conception.
@cptmajormajor Will you play football, if you miss the ball 50% of your playing time? I mean, every second hit falls into the air. Or maybe you can try something else,..... hockey?
Will you lift weights, if you have had known, that you never will be stronger than you year ago?
What about Karaoke, I told it before. There are no judges.
You right, guys in all about it. But...
Maybe I'm a man, who wants to be a winner, instead to be a loser. Is it normally? I don't know.
I like Little_Bobby_Tables's answear. Looks like it is a right point.
@Dionysus_god, bro))) Please don't judge me so strictly.)))
to achja, Hellball, kiseiju
I agree with you, chess can be fun game! But did you ever think "What can I do better than everybody?".
My chess remind me boozing. I can play all day, it's very fun, then I start to make blunders, mistakes, nervous game. And finally I can stand up over my PC with red eyes, and with a bad mood. Like a hangover.
@ #16 specifically you use an example of football and karaoke, and even the gym. Well, these are all activities (especially the first two) that basically _require_ being with other people! Chess is nowhere near as fun -- and many people would not have stuck around -- if it is to be treated as a solitary activity. You need to make friends and play with them.
Honestly, you sound a bit unhappy or stressed in general about "important real life things", unrelated to the game, and you feel like chess is getting in the way. That's just my interpretation, I could be wrong; you are merely a stranger to me. But I don't think your problem is with chess. You take issue with activities for fun and leisure in general. All I can say is that leisure is important and that you shouldn't let societal expectations about work or 'being cool' stop you from having fun.
Go to your local chess club. Meet people. Don't necessarily play chess for the game itself -- even chess gets boring eventually, as all games do. Make chess a conduit and activity for relationships with other people. This is afterall, a multiplayer game. It would be nothing without other people -- just a satisfying set of mechanics. It's the people that keep you playing.
@proof_07There's quite a chance that there will always be "someone who is better than you in chess".
One can be the best player at the local chessclub (I was blitz champion at my local chess club once) but that can be just a temporary thing. Move to another city, join another chess club and one may be just an average player.
I do agree with #18, that chess can be a way to connect and unite with other people. Chess can be a social tool to expand instead of isolate.
When I played otb chess in chessclubs and tourneys I usually found the post mortem, analysing after a game one of the most fascinating things. Going over various lines with your opponent, and seeing what one saw or not, and seeing what hidden treasures the chess position on the board had.
Also, if you play chess for hours and hours (say blitz), then it is normal that one gets tired and starts to blunder.
Then it is time for a break. Go for a walk, eat and drink, and do other things.
Enjoy your time !
Thank you Hellball! I'll think about it. I have few chess clubs in my city. Seems like it's time to visit theirs.
PS. Thank you all for discussion. It was useful for me, and maybe for someone else.