tag: Prodigy - Page 2

Praggnanandhaa – youngest chess IM in history!

5/29/2016 – Houston, we have an IM – and he is ten years and nine months of age! Better learn to pronounce his name: Praggnanandhaa, Pragg-na-nan-dhaa. A couple of hours ago he won his ninth round game at the KiiT International Chess Festival in Bhubaneswar, India, and made his third IM norm (after norms in Cannes and Moscow). We congratulate Praggu on this historical achievement.

Profile of a Prodigy: Samuel Sevian

12/17/2014 – At age 13 years 10 months and 27 days, Samuel Sevian became the world's youngest grandmaster, and the youngest grandmaster in US history, beating Ray Robson's record. His course has been a list of 'youngest evers', and his determination in the recent Saint Louis Invitational, where he clinched the 2500 rating, showed in his games. Here is a look at his spectacular chess resume.

Judit Polgar: the greatest prodigy ever

8/15/2014 – Judit Polgar's announced retirement from chess competitions at the 41st Chess Olympiad marks the end of an era the likes of which none could foresee, but that galvanized women chess for all time. She did not simply break the barriers of a highly prejudiced establishment, she shattered them with records that no male has come close to. Here is a profile with videos of her greatest triumphs.

Profile of a prodigy: Kayden Troff

7/5/2014 – Last May, and a few weeks after his 16th birthday, Kayden Troff became the youngest GM in the Americas and the second youngest grandmaster in the world. He is also the top ranked player U16 in the Americas and recently won the US Junior Championship a full 1.5 points ahead of his rivals. As part of the rising generation of American players, here is a profile by James Satrapa.

The remarkably talented Harmony Zhu

1/20/2014 – "Did you see the Canadian girl?" Garry Kasparov said to us. "Very impressive!". He was in Al Ain, paying a visit to the World Youth Championship, where a seven-year-old was dominating the under eight group. We check her out and found that Harmony Zhu is not just a great chess player. She is extremely talented in a completely different field – hint: nomen est omen... You will never guess!

Profile of a prodigy: Vladislav Artemiev

12/2/2013 – In the wake of the generational change represented by Magnus Carlsen winning the World Championship, the obvious focus is who is next, whether boy or girl. Many are on the rise, and among this younger generation is Vladislav Artemiev, winner of the Russian U21 at age fifteen, and was chosen the young Russian player of 2012 by Sergey Shipov. Here is an in-depth profile.

Chess Prodigies Uncovered: Sergey Karjakin

11/27/2013 – This is one of a brand new range of DVDs, with Sergey Karjakin being subject of the first volume. The big difference between it and other ChessBase DVDs is the interactive aspect. Questions follow the main games: author Lorin D’Costa asks the viewer questions, and the answers must be played as moves on the on-screen board. "This is solid start to the new series which will probably evolve favourably as time goes by," says reviewer Sean Marsh.

Wei Yi – youngest 2600+ GM ever

10/31/2013 – On the November 1st FIDE rankings Chinese GM Wei Yi will officially appear with 2604 rating points. The amazing thing about this is that Yi achieved his 2600+ rating (on October 1st) at the tender age of 14 years 4 months and 30 days. That is seven months less than the previous record of Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So from October. James Satrapa has tracked his progress.

Chess Prodigies Uncovered: Sergey Karjakin

8/30/2013 – Chess Prodigies Uncovered presents a new series, and who better to start with than the youngest grandmaster ever, Sergey Karjakin. Spearheading this first is IM Lorin D'Costa, who presents 26 games of the prodigy, using them as a teaching tool for those who wish they could do as well, and making use of ChessBase's newest interactive video technology. Read the review.

The joy of chess: ten-year-old beats IM

7/9/2013 – That was the title of a story in a number of (non-chess) news sources this week. They pointed to a video showing the sheer joy of a boy, who has just turned ten, realizing that he is going to win a game against an IM – and proceeds to do so with enthusiasm and determination. The blitz game took place two and a half years ago, but deserves to be enjoyed by anyone who does not know it. Must watch!

Game changer at four – youngest chess player

6/24/2013 – What is the earliest age at which a child can learn chess – actually master all the rules of the game, play at club level and participate in national-level tournaments? Wrong – earlier! Sparsh Bisht learnt the moves at three years and ten months, and four months later has been playing in tournaments against opponents double his age. He teaches us: never underestimate the mind of a child!

Jan-Krzysztof Duda: 15-year-old gains GM title

5/19/2013 – Jan-Krzysztof Duda was born on April 26, 1998, in Krakow, Poland. On May 16, 2013, in the last round of the European Championship he completed his final and third GM norm. He is currently rated 2506 and thus fulfils all conditions for a full GM title. This makes Jan-Krzysztof the world's second youngest GM (after Chinese GM Wei Yi, who is still 13!). We use the opportunity to update our prodigy list.

Edward Winter's Chess Explorations (22)

6/14/2009 – The entire subject of prodigies in chess is fascinating from many standpoints, but, as the Editor of Chess Notes observes, no book has yet given it in-depth treatment. While marvelling at the exploits of such Wunderkinder as Capablanca and Reshevsky we should spare a thought for some truly obscure youngsters also praised by journalists for their exploits, whether real or dubious.
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