How Proficient Could Somebody Become Playing Their First Game?

EDIT: Title should read: How Proficient Could Somebody Become BEFORE Playing Their First Game?

I've always seen questions about how strong somebody could get without hitting the books. Wouldn't it be interesting to know how strong somebody would be able to play if they ONLY hit books and never played a complete chess game?

I'd like to cite one example: Capablanca defeating his father twice at age 4 without having played any prior games. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Raul_Capablanca

I know, it's from Wikipedia... not the most accurate source. But hey, better than nothing, right...? You'll have to forgive this - there's an advertisement with a pretty cute chick distracting me.

you think he studied a lot of chess books before he was 4?  perhaps i don't understand what you are asking. 

Understandably, Capa probably didn't read books, etc at that age. But he did watch the games that were played. Then kicked his dad's butt twice consecutively. Hey, not too bad for an absolute beginner.

You gotta admit, multitasking isn't that easy. He needs his hands to use items in his belt, to move the wheelchair, AND to move chess pieces. He's not an octopus.

Anyway, besides the wheelchair-bound Batman pictures, does anybody have any theories on this? I'm pretty sure it's been done before... albeit not by any jolly ol' person, as pointed out by tonydal.

Elaborate please. 

It's sometimes more fun to simply ponder the question... [He was a philosopher to some extent] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Zweig

But I'd still like to know the answer to my question.

The Royal Game?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Royal_Game

A bridge, eh? I'm intersted. How cheap is dirt cheap?

I feel that the Capa story is more legend than truth

Even with many specifics the unknown of a person's natural ability make it impossible to say really.

Would they get to analyse and play over annotated master games?  Because with that, the different parts would come together and even though they aren't playing the game, they would get a sense for how one blends the different parts (opening, strategy, tactics, endgame) into a complete game.

I guess the drawbacks in playing their first game would be practical and psychological and would again depend on the makeup of the individual.

So to answer I'd guess anywhere from 1200 to 2600 depending on natural talent, temperament, and time spent studying.

Well, I got over 60 chess books that need a good reading, from beginning to GM level.  How much will you pay me this year to only read my chessbooks and never move a chess piece?  Then you will have your answer.

lol

Maybe I should rephrase a little bit: let's give this player all the materials possible without actually giving a chance to play a one-on-one game against another person / computer / alien from outer space. We'll pay him / her in Trident Gum (just like in those commercials).

Given all of this, how strong would this person play his / her first game? Consider that they haven't had a significant ability to apply the theoretical knowledge they've gained. The application of knowledge into practical situations is often the most important factor in overall improvement - and not just in chess. :)

Reverting back to the original topic, I would think playing at 2600 would be waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too high (I would've added more a's but I get charged triple taxes for every excess letter). 1200 is probably a level most people could reach without a lot of theoretical knowledge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_morphy#Early_life

Morphy was apparently good enough from observing to spot a serious mistake in another's play that neither he nor his opponent had seen.

I was awesome before I played my first game of chess. Downhill ever since

Proficiency requirements: ZERO

Potential proficiency before playing a single game: 500 - 1750 elo

I have not heard of an unrated player being given more than 1800 elo after their first game. I doubt that it would make a difference if that person even beat Carlsen or any of the super elites for the first game.