I aint being funny but how can little kids beat seasoned professional chess players (sometimes), like This Magnus Carlson, How can he be so good, so young?

i think he practiced.

He started playing chess at 8 and was trained by Grandmaster Simen Agdestein, Norway’s top chess player.

He became Grandmaster when he was only 13 years old.You can only imagine how much he worked.It is really big work,many many...hours of trainings.He became Grandmaster in age of 13,also logic is that he is very talented.

i couldnt even play when i was 13, but that is a bit of a misspent youth.....

reading wikipedia here, Magnus got a year off of elementry school to compete in international tournements, for pete's sake. some people just got it, i guess.

WVSFielding wrote:

I aint being funny but how can little kids beat seasoned professional chess players (sometimes), like This Magnus Carlson, How can he be so good, so young?

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 Theres a documentary on C4 on every wednesday night at the moment about genius kids. I haven't seen it yet but one of the trailers for it showed a genius child chess player.

I can't help but think that kids who devote their entire lives to chess from a very young age are somehow missing out on actually doing something important with their lives. Of course it takes a lot of practice, but you can't turn just any kid into a GM. He/she has to have the discipline, mental fortitude, and very logically gifted. All three of these things are ideal for becoming a lawyer, just for example. Someone who may make an impact in their community/country with their brainpower and dedication. Instead, chess is all they know. Maybe the child wants more than anything else to play chess - and that's fine. But at the same time I can't help but feel like it's a shame. Chess is a game, a fantastic game, which I revere. But I would never let it get in the way of my life. Live to play, don't play to live.

I think young chess prodigies also have exceptional visual memory.

Coe wrote: I can't help but think that kids who devote their entire lives to chess from a very young age are somehow missing out on actually doing something important with their lives. Of course it takes a lot of practice, but you can't turn just any kid into a GM. He/she has to have the discipline, mental fortitude, and very logically gifted. All three of these things are ideal for becoming a lawyer, just for example. Someone who may make an impact in their community/country with their brainpower and dedication. Instead, chess is all they know. Maybe the child wants more than anything else to play chess - and that's fine. But at the same time I can't help but feel like it's a shame. Chess is a game, a fantastic game, which I revere. But I would never let it get in the way of my life. Live to play, don't play to live.

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thats a better version of what im saying

Coe wrote: I can't help but think that kids who devote their entire lives to chess from a very young age are somehow missing out on actually doing something important with their lives. Of course it takes a lot of practice, but you can't turn just any kid into a GM. He/she has to have the discipline, mental fortitude, and very logically gifted. All three of these things are ideal for becoming a lawyer, just for example. Someone who may make an impact in their community/country with their brainpower and dedication. Instead, chess is all they know. Maybe the child wants more than anything else to play chess - and that's fine. But at the same time I can't help but feel like it's a shame. Chess is a game, a fantastic game, which I revere. But I would never let it get in the way of my life. Live to play, don't play to live.

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The same things can be said of kids who "waste" their lives on music, art, or sport, couldnt it? I mean I dont see a lot of difference myself.

Reb wrote: Coe wrote: I can't help but think that kids who devote their entire lives to chess from a very young age are somehow missing out on actually doing something important with their lives. Of course it takes a lot of practice, but you can't turn just any kid into a GM. He/she has to have the discipline, mental fortitude, and very logically gifted. All three of these things are ideal for becoming a lawyer, just for example. Someone who may make an impact in their community/country with their brainpower and dedication. Instead, chess is all they know. Maybe the child wants more than anything else to play chess - and that's fine. But at the same time I can't help but feel like it's a shame. Chess is a game, a fantastic game, which I revere. But I would never let it get in the way of my life. Live to play, don't play to live.

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The same things can be said of kids who "waste" their lives on music, art, or sport, couldnt it? I mean I dont see a lot of difference myself.

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 Sports is a different issue, but music and art can have a profound impact on people and can be a raw reflection of emotion. I have yet to cry when watching a chess game.

Although I don't see why someone should be obligated to 'make an impact' just because they are gifted in some way. Since when has celebrity or importance led to happiness?

He probrably practiced every day and learned from his losses.