Amazing Young Chess Players

Check out our latest blog post about some super cool young chess prodigies. Learn about Samuel Reshevsky, Bobby Fischer, Judit Polgár, Magnus Carlsen, and Sergey Karjakin—five amazing players who became grandmasters at a young age and changed the chess world forever. Get inspired by their awesome stories!

Date: 08/02/2024

Ever wondered how cool it would be to become a chess champion while you are still young? Well, some kids have done just that! Let’s dive into the stories of some awesome young chess prodigies who wowed the world with their chess skills:

1. Samuel Reshevsky

Black and white of a young child in a suit and tie watching two men play chess. One man is wearing a movie costume and the other man is wearing a suit and tie. The men are smiling and the boy is concentrating on the pieces. — Reshevsky watches actors Chaplan and Fairbanks play a game on a movie set.

Samuel Reshevsky was born on November 26, 1911, in Ozorków, Poland.

He started playing chess when he was only four years old. By age eight, he was beating experienced chess masters—imagine that! Samuel’s remarkable games are still famous, and people study them to learn new tactics. He even met famous movie stars like Charlie Chaplin! Later, as an adult, he would play against the young Bobby Fischer (our next chess prodigy highlight) many times.

2. Bobby Fischer

Black and white photo of man in suit and tie looking at a chess board. — Bobby Fischer concentrates on the chess board.

Bobby Fischer was born on March 9, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois.

He is one of the greatest chess players ever. He learned chess at six and won the U.S. Chess Championship at just 14. Bobby’s smart moves and unique strategies made him a world champion in 1972. Pretty impressive, right?

3. Judit Polgár

A woman in a white sweater and hands clasped behind her back watches a girl sitting at a chess board. The girl has a bow in her hair and has her head in her hands. A namplate on the table reads, "J. Polgar." — Sofia (Judit’s sister) watches as Judit thinks about her next move.

Judit Polgár was born on July 23, 1976, in Budapest, Hungary.

She is renowned as the greatest female chess player in history. A true chess prodigy, she became a Grandmaster at 15—the youngest age for that title at the time. Judit’s importance extends beyond her playing skills; she insisted on competing in traditionally male-only tournaments, refusing to be limited to women’s events. Through her remarkable achievements, Judit showed everyone that girls and boys can be amazing at chess!

4. Magnus Carlsen

A blond haired boy has his hands clasped in front of his chin. He is sitting down and looking at a chess board. — Magnus deep in thought.

Magnus Carlsen was born on November 30, 1990, in Tønsberg, Norway.

Carlsen, the current World Chess Champion, was super talented from a young age. He became a Grandmaster at 13 and quickly became the best player in the world. Magnus is famous for his smart thinking and ability to play different styles of chess. One of his signature habits is to fidget with a pawn while he plays.

5. Sergey Karjakin

A teenage boy with brown hair wearing a plaid collared shirt has his arms crossed and resting on a table. In front of him is a chess board and an electric chess clock. A person can be seen sitting next to him. — Sergey sits at the board.

Sergey Karjakin was born on January 12, 1990, in Simferopol, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union).

He holds the record for being the youngest Grandmaster ever, at just 12 years and 7 months old! It’s amazing how quickly he became a top player, even challenging Magnus Carlsen for the World Championship. Karjakin is known for his strong defensive skills and staying calm under pressure, showing that you need more than just attacking moves to win at the highest levels.

These young chess stars have shown that you can achieve great things no matter how young you are. Their stories are super inspiring and might even encourage you to pick up a chessboard and start playing. Who knows? Maybe you could be the next chess champion!

Read More:

Chess.com – Samuel Reshevsky