What is the minimum age to play chess?
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18 hrs ago
0
#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.
17 hrs ago
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#4
There is no limit. Some players started at 5. And also, there is a kindergartener chess championship, so yeah….
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.
16 hrs ago
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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
16 hrs ago
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#8
There is no age limit. We started teaching our kids about 2 and by 4/5 they could play and write notation. My husband has coached many kids, the younger, the better, but the average age seems to be about 6 to start.
16 hrs ago
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#10
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.
16 hrs ago
0
#11
Fr3nchToastCrunch wrote:
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.
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 fifty, for example), his worries are not entirely unfounded. However, eight is an OK age, I think.
Chess is wonderful for socializing, especially if you play in tournaments.
also, 99.9% of players will never reach GM or any other title, so it’s really a non-issue.
I have an 8yo who plays, and I want to know if it is suitable for his age.