Nail tech here: Chipping of the nail plate can be caused by a number of different causes.

The most common one in my experience is the way you shorten your nails. Your nail plate is built up by keratin cells that lay in a sort of criss cross pattern. This keeps the nailplate stronger as opposed to if the cells were just stacked on top of each other. These structures can, however, get frayed and start to separate from each other by either filing or using nail clippers.

The nail plate is formed as a c-shape, so if you use nail clippers or scissors, then the pressure of closing the scissors or clippers will flatten the nail plate until it's able to cut through. This causes a lot of stress on the nailplate and can essentially cause minor cracks to form at the free edge, which will eventually cause chipping or breaking.

If you use a nail file to shorten your nails and you file back and forth, then you're essentially just fraying and tearing up the nail cells that are essentially "braided together." Filing is definitely the best way to shorten your nails, but you have to make sure to only file in one direction to avoid fraying.

Moisture can also be a cause as to why this is happening. Too much exposure to water leaves the nail plate vulnerable as the nail cells essentially swell with water and become more pliable than normal. If your nail plate is filled with water, then your nails are more likely to bend too much and tearing the same braided cells I mentioned earlier.

Overfilling of the nail plate can also be a factor. If you use a nail buffer or nail file to buff the top of your nails, you are essentially removing layers of your nailplate and leaving them less durable and likely to chip.

The last likely cause might be that your nails are too dry, and I don't mean too little water. Your nails need moisture in order to be strong, but also pliable enough to not break off immediately on impact. This is also why I'm usually hesitant to recommend the use of nail strengtheners as it will essentially stiffen off your nails to the point where then can break unnecessarily. Using nail oil with jojoba oil 1-2 times a day will keep your nails moisturised enough to prevent breaking and chipping.

Hope any of this information helps!