What This Is All About

 It has been a question in my mind whether someone older than four out of five people in this country would have the ability to improve their chess. There is no question that there have been studies related to this topic, but I decided to pose it to myself and find an answer. Of course, this answer would only apply to me, in my specific set of circumstances, but the information might be of interest to others.

At 74 years old, I have played chess on and off throughout my life and consider myself to be a typical club-level player. I do read about the subject and have written some courses on opening theory, but I have not actually dedicated time to studying in an attempt to play better. I am thinking about devoting five hours, as well as playing five 15+10 games, a week to this and am also considering hiring a coach to help. I wrote about my plans at https://www.chessable.com/discussion/thread/1291478/can-old-folks-improve/.

Note: when I got my degree in psychology many years ago, it was with an emphasis on the experimental aspects of the subject. I only mention this to note that while I am familiar with the scientific method, I must state that this project is not that. There is no intention to extrapolate this information or claim it is statistically rigorous; it is just a question looking for an answer.

Before starting, I need to determine what indicates success and what indicates failure. This needs to be measurable, not something determined by whim or wishful thinking. In a way, the term 'success' is misleading. My entire intention is to enjoy chess, and the effort to do so is where the joy lies. I have no doubt that I will enjoy doing this, and in that respect, the project will certainly be successful. However, whether an older person who decides to dedicate time to a pursuit can improve in a measurable way is what this experiment is all about.

The experiment will have three phases.

The first phase will begin six months prior to my 3 December 2026 75th birthday, the second phase six months after that birthday, and the third phase six months after that. I am now preparing to leave for the Big Ears Music Festival, and when I return, I will map out what will happen during those three phases and explain what I will be doing leading up to the beginning of the experiment.