What is the minimum age to play chess?
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May 10, 2025
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#2
There isn’t really a minimum age, most top players started when they were like 7, as long as they know the rules and can play by them.
Ok, thanks.
May 10, 2025
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#4
There is no limit. Some players started at 5. And also, there is a kindergartener chess championship, so yeah….
May 10, 2025
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#5
I wouldn't think there's a minimum age, unless your son wants to use a website. If he wants to use a website, I recommend chesskid since I play with my younger brother on there, since there's no communication and usernames are auto-generated.
May 10, 2025
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#7
There is no age limit. Chess is like investing in stocks. The younger you start, the better outcome you get
May 10, 2025
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#9
J. R. Capablanca started at the age of four when he pointed out his father making an illegal move, then absolutely destroyed him in a game. The rest is history. If your kid is good at chess, then by all means, encourage them.
Levy Rozman has different thoughts, however: He worries that children who become chess masters at a developmental age will have a hard time socializing and having lives outside of chess when they grow up. And given the fact that many GMs who started young also didn't live very long (Capablanca barely lived to the age of fifty, for example), his worries are not entirely unfounded.
Magnus Carlsen expressed somewhat similar sentiments as well. He said that if he ever becomes a father, he won't force chess on his children, but he'll certainly help them if they show interest.
However, eight is an OK age, I think. If your 8 y/o wants to play chess, feel free to get him started on it as soon as possible.
I have an 8yo who plays, and I want to know if it is suitable for his age.