child genius

I know that it exists.  I'm saying it is massively devalued by all the other 'master' titles for rubbish players.  I suspect there would be more takers if the national master title was the only master title the ECF offered.

I also think the FIDE CM title lacks a certain prestige, mainly because it was blatantly invented by Stewart Reuben for the sole purpose of awarding it to himself.

Doggy_style, now look at the average opponent he played (as a very rough guess, 160 it seems) and then look at his rating. 131. I think he's doing well for someone even graded around 140!

Considering this kid is only 9 and already graded 130, unless he stops playing regularly, he will almost certainly have a better title than CM within 10 years.  I think anyone who passes 120 ECF by the age of about 12 is headed for a title unless they stop playing. 

I'm not taking issue with his ability Vs age, I'm just saying that he clearly isn't master strength.

Well, I certainly don't disagree with that. It's very peculiar to give out a master title for winning a tournament without any masters in it.

It seems to me that this kid recieved his Christmas present in July.

p.s. At the last Hastings Masters tournament, whilst wandering around the tables, I happened upon a WIM rated 2037. Yes, another recipient of a title granted after some weak tournament victory. What happened to the days of chess masters actually being strong players?

Women's titles are a whole other kettle of fish.  I think they should be abolished completely.  Women are perfectly capable of attaining the real GM and IM titles. 

I think the actual requirement for WIM is only about 2200 anyway, so that player probably had the required rating at one point.  WFM and WCM are a joke. Not sure why anyone would settle for such a patronising title.

I think the actual requirement for WIM is only about 2200 anyway, so that player probably had the required rating at one point.

Nope, that was her highest rating. I look everything up.

Ok... But I think the fact that a sub 2200 player was awarded the WIM title is less of an affront than the fact that the WIM title exists at all.

I'd like to watch it but when I go on http://watchlive.channel4.com/C4 and click the play-button only get a spinner and it won't work.

Is that going to be broadcast anywhere else on the web?

9pm is still 92 minutes away here.

In the U.S., Larry Kaufman made GM by winning the World Senior Tournament--

http://www.chess.com/news/larry-kaufman-wins-world-senior-title

Why should it be different for the kids?  Whatever works. 

Hi,

I am a friend of Josh and we have both played for England together over the last couple of years and I can grant you that he is an amazing chess player - but if you were to call him a genius, this is partly because of his age. I am two years older than him and our ratings are roughly the same - it just shows that he has put a lot more effort into his chess career than i have and i'm sure his grade will be fifty points above mine when he is my age. And i do believe his CM title is deserved and he has won an international tournament to achieve this; his grades should not be a guideline to his title, especially with large age differences.

Wow, 60 years old and getting the title of grandmaster! Good for him!

Yeah, but if it doesn't work now, why would it in 33 minutes? :\

EDIT: I just tried your link, you have to be registered to view the content. I don't know if that's mucking things up for you.

is he a world champion in his age category or atleast has he won any medals in FIDE world championships?if we want to measure his strength and compare him with other kids,this is the best way.

The kid is playing a pal of mine, Helge Hjort (ECF 188), I don't fancy his chances!

p.s. Looked the game up, the kid lost.

For me to understand any of this, can someone tell me the conversion of ECF to FIDE or USCF? Thanks.