According to chess historian Bill Wall under the category Oldest Master, "Oscar Shapiro (1910-2000) became a chess master at the age of 74. In 1991, Bernard Friend became a chess master for the first time at the age of 71." I myself have read (in an old copy of Chess Life) about a fellow who became a master at age 75 but I don't recollect his name or which issue featured that article. I once sent a letter to GM Andy Soltis (Chess Life contributor and noted chess author), with comments and questions identical to yours. Basically, everyone has heard of young prodigies, but what about "late bloomers" in chess? He created an entire article about it in his Chess Life monthly column. Again, I don't remember which issue, but the article is reproduced in its entirety on pages 32-36 of Soltis' 1991 book "Karl Marx Plays Chess." You can probably find a used copy for cheap on Amazon if you wish to read the details. The most telling statistic is this: After a chess student becomes SERIOUS (definition of serious: studies from books, disks, the Internet, etc. AND plays in tournaments), there is an 8-year window during which that person achieves 90% of his maximum chess prowess. It takes the rest of your life to eke out the final 10% of your potential. This statistic seems to hold true no matter where a person is on the rating scale. Soltis cited many noted masters who fit into this profile including Capablanca, Spassky, Alekhine, Euwe, Lasker, Botvinnik, Maroczy, Pillsbury, Nimzowitsch, Keres, Petrosian, Fischer, Tal, and Korchnoi. The 8-year-window seems to have little to do with age. IM Jack Peters of southern California played in his first tournament at 16, while GM Joel Benjamin got into chess at age 8. Both achieved master rating in 5 years and IM rating 3 years after that. 5+3=8. Incidentally, Soltis mentions a few late-bloomers like Amos Byrne, who hardly played chess at all before age 38. Also, there is Chigorin, who started his tournament career at age 27, Then there's George Salwe, number 2 player in Poland in the early 20th century, who didn't start playing in major events until he was 42! English Master Joseph Henry Blake achieved his best result at age 63. So, you see, there is hope! But determination will certainly carry you further up the rating ladder.
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Hello! I am a new chess player and after 4 months I have reached a rating of 700. To be honest, I really feel like an old dog! I don't consider myself any sort of genius by any means, but I also don't think think I'm a dult. For my ego's sake, let's just say I am slightly above average mentally. I am wondering what is an attainable rating goal for someone like me if I put some serious study into chess? 1500? 1800 possibly?
Now, on a more fun note, and more unattainable.. .
Does anyone know of any IMs or GMs that started playing chess after the age of thirty? Just curious if it has ever happened.
If not, can anyone tell me who the highest rated player(s) to start after 30 are?
Thanks!