How can I play without getting beaten so badly that I regret the attempt?

Question: How can I play without getting beaten so badly that I regret the attempt?

Answer:

Chess is, above all, about competition. Losing is part of the game. Your will to win has to be stronger than your fear of losing.

Chess has its own food chain. Beginners lose to intermediates, who lose to advanced players, who lose to experts, who lose to masters, who lose to grandmasters, who lose to super grandmasters, who lose to world champions. Every player climbs the same ladder; some climb faster than others.

Many good players agree that you learn more from your losses than from your wins. Here's how:

1. Record your games,
2. Analyze your losses,
3. Try to find out where you went wrong, and
4. Eliminate that weakness from your play.

One thing is certain. If you quit playing because you hate losing, you will never become a better player.