🧠 Vasyl Ivanchuk: 56 And Still Unbeaten! The Eternal Genius of Chess ♟️
When people say chess is a young man’s game, Vasyl Ivanchuk just smiles—and keeps calculating.
At 56 years old, the Ukrainian legend, famously known as “Chucky,” is proving he’s as sharp and dangerous as ever. In a recent stretch that would challenge even the fittest grandmasters, Ivanchuk played 27 classical games in just 19 days—without a single loss!
🔥 27 Games. 18 Wins. 9 Draws. 0 Losses.
Between April 9–27, 2025, Ivanchuk embarked on a whirlwind chess journey, competing across multiple events and showing zero signs of slowing down. These were classical games, the kind that test your stamina and preparation.
Imagine calculating during an award ceremony… well, he actually did that too:
🎖 Calculating on the Podium
Chucky’s dedication isn’t confined to the board. During the 2016 World Blitz podium ceremony, cameras caught him still calculating variations in his head—even as he held flowers and stood beside Magnus Carlsen! It’s a perfect snapshot of his relentless focus: medal in one hand, tactical visions in the other.
🏆 Menorca Open Masterclass
His most dominant moment came at the Menorca Open, held in Spain. Facing 45 Grandmasters, Chucky scored an astonishing 8/9, finishing clear first with a jaw‑dropping 2833 performance rating.
📊 Check full standings here:
🔗 Menorca Open 2025 – ChessResults
👑 Why Ivanchuk Is Special
Ivanchuk is more than a tournament winner. He’s a symbol of creativity, resilience, and lifelong love for the game. Known for his quirky personality and brilliant mind, he lives and breathes chess:
“Sometimes my head works, and sometimes not... but I always try,” — Ivanchuk
A Personal Encounter
I first met Chucky at the 2022 Sunway Sitges Open, Spain, and it cemented my admiration. I’d often find him in the analysis rooms long after his rounds—poring over games, exploring fresh ideas. His passion is infectious: he’d stop to discuss a variation for ten minutes, eyes alight as if revealing a grand secret.
Here’s our selfie from that unforgettable encounter:
💬 Who’s Your Favourite 50+ Legend?
Ivanchuk shows us that passion doesn’t age. Whether you’re 15 or 65, the board welcomes all minds.
👉 Drop a comment: Who is your favourite over‑50 chess player still making waves?
