40 is young (although it didn't seem that way when I turned 40).
I learned chess at eight, played in my first rated tournament at 35 and was just under 1500 at the age of forty. Before 50, I was over 1800.
That's not a climb from zero to master, but I mainly struggle against bad habits long cultivated.
I think a 40 y.o. starting fresh in the right way could have strong potential.
Started in Chess at 40, and Became a Chess Master
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Jun 12, 2019
0
#82
Jun 12, 2019
0
#83
Today, on CNN, there is a story of a double-amputee who climbed Everest at age 69.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/06/health/xia-boyu-double-amputee-everest/index.html
Do not underestimate the strength of willpower!
One group of candidates for old chess starters might be people who have experience with a different strategy board game, and then take up chess.
My favourite is mentioned in one of my posts. A doctor in India who started playing at 87!!!😁
Here's the story @simaginfan is referring to. Thanks mate
More C.C. Stories, Characters and Two Games
Jun 13, 2019
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#87
Possible. Even if nobody has done it before, that doesn’t mean one cannot set the new record.
Great work my Roaring friend!! On phone so couldn't link. It's a lovely little story - amazed that you found it!!😀👍
simaginfan wrote:
Great work my Roaring friend!! On phone so couldn't link. It's a lovely little story - amazed that you found it!!😀👍
Just consulted the Big Brother Google using:
india doctor 87 simaginfan site:chess.com
WitchA wrote:
No, from around the age of 25 onwards, cognitive decline begins to set in. It becomes impossible to form new neural networks and existing ones deteriorate. White matter in the brain turns to black and the myelin that facilitates electric signals to travel across neurons breaks apart. It’s estimated that a 40 year old iq of 100 is equal to a 20 year old iq of 80.
A 40 year old doesn’t have the ability to learn anything new beyond the very basics. If you had a rudimentary understanding of neuroscience, you’d realize how ludicrous your question is. It’s practically equivalent to asking if it’s possible for a chimpanzee to become a chess master.
A 40 year old doesn’t have the ability to learn anything new beyond the very basics. If you had a rudimentary understanding of neuroscience, you’d realize how ludicrous your question is. It’s practically equivalent to asking if it’s possible for a chimpanzee to become a chess master.
I never heard something stupid like this, ofc you can learn new things and ofc you can become NM or even GM when you are 40+..... there have been people who became GM at 70+.
If you know science so much, you would know that we know quite little about the brain
fgermuth wrote:
you can learn new things and you can become NM or even GM when you are 40+... there have been people who became GM at 70+.
Capablanca learned chess at 4, Rubinstein did a little bit late by today's standards, at 16.
Le Compte Jean de Villeneuve-Esclapon (1860-1943) took up chess at 40 and achieved Master strength. That's something!
Ziryab wrote:
40 is young (although it didn't seem that way when I turned 40).
I learned chess at eight, played in my first rated tournament at 35 and was just under 1500 at the age of forty. Before 50, I was over 1800.
That's not a climb from zero to master, but I mainly struggle against bad habits long cultivated.
I think a 40 y.o. starting fresh in the right way could have strong potential.
That is the key, we "struggle against bad habits long cultivated."
We can really never fully divorce ourselves from bad habits/sleazy and ineffective mindset implanted early. The process actually begins at Chess Square One on Day One.
RoaringPawn wrote:
simaginfan wrote:
Great work my Roaring friend!! On phone so couldn't link. It's a lovely little story - amazed that you found it!!😀👍
Just consulted the Big Brother Google using:
india doctor 87 simaginfan site:chess.com
😂🤣. I so wish I knew how to use the internet!!!!!
It is amazing how much nonsense is written about the brain and the mind.Even more shocking is how many people believe everything they read, questioning nothing. Chess teaches one to question everything.
Nwap111 wrote:
It is amazing how much nonsense is written about the brain and the mind.Even more shocking is how many people believe everything they read, questioning nothing. Chess teaches one to question everything.
If only people provided actual examples of people who reached at least fide master after starting as complete beginners after 40 (the fide title a.k.a. getting 2300 elo, people from early 20th century or before don't count 
) rather to opposing theories against other theories.
Thought I did Rolf Wetzle. Became master after 50. When he retired and devoted time to chess.
Jun 13, 2019
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#97
The picture in 22 looks to me like Theodore Roosevelt but I've never heard tales of him playing great chess but could you be talking about Sherlock Holmes ?
Possible. Rolf Wetzel after 50. Also, I think Joe Bradford was 40 when he got his master title.I believe that it is all about motivation. Alas, there is the rub....very hard to maintain chess motivation. Everyone cannot do it.. Life gets in the way.