The Legacy of Chess Prodigies: From Gukesh to Carlsen – A Journey Through History
At just 18 years old, GM Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest ever undisputed classical chess world champion. This achievement places him among a long line of amazing chess prodigies dating back more than a century. From the famous photo of a young Samuel Reshevsky to the recent record-breaking performances of Faustino Oro and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the history of chess is filled with incredible talents who have played like experienced masters at a very young age.
Where does Gukesh fit within this history of chess prodigies? Is he the most impressive ever? Chess analyst Tai Pruce-Zimmerman has been studying the achievements of young chess players and has compiled a list of the most prolific accomplishments in junior categories. This list includes players like Aryan Gholami, Illya Nyzhnyk, and Ethan Pang, who have all set remarkable records at a young age.
One standout player on the list is Erdogmus, who recently broke Judit Polgar’s 35-year-old record as the highest-rated 13-year-old in history. With a current rating of 2604, Erdogmus is making waves in the chess world and is definitely a player to watch in the coming years.
However, it’s players like Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja who have set the bar high for young chess prodigies. Carlsen, who became world champion and reached an all-time highest rating of 2882 at age 23, is considered one of the greatest players of all time. Firouzja, on the other hand, broke Carlsen’s record to become the youngest 2800-rated player of all time at just 18 years old.
As the chess world continues to witness the rise of young talents like Gukesh, Pang, and Oro, the question remains: will they be able to reach the heights of players like Carlsen and Firouzja? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the future of chess looks bright with these young prodigies leading the way.
Which player do you think had the most impressive accomplishments as a junior? Share your thoughts in the comments below!