[gnaman]

for anyone wondering hes 18

[smokel]

For anyone wondering about related facts: the oldest age someone had while being the chess world champion was 58 years [1].

https://www.chesspower.co.nz/chess-records.html#theoldest

[dhosek]

So my son has 7 years to set a new record. (I’m not really expecting that, of course.)

[dhosek]

I told him about the match and told him he only had 7 years to be the new youngest chess world champion and he told me that he didn’t want to be a world champion, he just wanted to play. I approve of this philosophy.

[PartiallyTyped]

It's already too late unless he is playing at GM level already — testament to how absurdly good super GMs are.

[yieldcrv]

thank you, I came looking for this as well and didn't want the predictable community drama of asking or pointing out how the article fails

[Jorge1o1]

thank you!

[wongarsu]

For context, legendary Magnus Carlsen was 23 when he first became world champion. Ding Liren, the other finalist and previous winner, is 32. The title holder before Magnus was Anand who first won the title at age 31 (or arguably 38, depending on your stance about the PCA). Kramnik before him was 31. Legendary Garry Kasparov was 22.

It's normal for the champion to get his first win in his early 30s. Getting it in your early 20s is how you become famous beyond the chess world. Doing it with 18 is seriously impressive.

[Certhas]

The comparison to others comes with a caveat though. The best player in the world is not participating in the current WC format.

[12345hn6789]

Why wasnt Magnus in this tournament? Surely this would be impressive if the headline was:

Youngest champion ever beats current best chess player.

Instead it's new champion crowned after legendary chess play does not partake in said competition

[boringg]

Seems like its not that big of an accomplishment relative to the way the headline makes it (obviously a big personal accomplishment). I figure 18 year old chess should have the mental abilities and maybe experience at that point to be able to rise to the top...

[zanellato19]

HAHAHA Only an HN comment could call the youngest person ever to do something would be said to "not that big of an accomplishment". How would you change that headline?

[borski]

He’s only been playing chess for 11 years. That’s very impressive.

[robertlagrant]

18 is young. It's impressive.

[jstanley]

You think materially everyone over the age of 18 who plays chess ought to be good enough to be world champion?

[nottorp]

... but you can infer from the HN post title that it's unusual.