Why Chess Favours the Young

12-year-old Faustino Oro at the World Cup in India, one of the youngest stars of the event. stunned the chess world by winning in tiebreaks against far more experienced opponents. He’s already defeated Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura online, and became the youngest ever 2300-rated player at just nine.

Experts often compare learning chess to learning a language — the earlier you start, the easier it is to absorb new patterns. Young players can memorize openings, spot tactics, and adapt to new positions almost instinctively. Their brains are still in that flexible “learning mode” that makes pattern recognition second nature.

There are also lifestyle factors. As players grow older, real life kicks in — school, jobs, university, family. Chess rarely guarantees financial stability unless you’re among the top few, and professional play involves endless travel and preparation. It’s no surprise that many older players eventually shift to coaching, streaming, or local tournaments instead of pursuing the global circuit full-time.

Then there’s psychology. With age often comes balance and perspective — great traits in life, but not always the best for competitive fire. Losing a game no longer feels catastrophic. Younger players, meanwhile, have that raw drive to prove themselves, to put everything else aside for improvement.

And finally, technology has changed everything. In the past, you needed years of study, coaches, and physical books to improve. Today, with engines, databases, and online platforms, a 12-year-old can access in minutes what grandmasters used to spend weeks studying. What once took decades of experience now fits into a childhood.

That’s why players like Oro — and many of his generation — are reshaping what it means to be a chess prodigy.

In this new era, chess doesn’t just favor the young — it’s built for them.

More to explore:

1. Erdogmus Pushes Rapport to Tiebreaks at World Cup 2025: Youth vs Experience
2. Hans Niemann Eliminated in Round 2 of the FIDE World Cup 2025
3. Top Players, Including Gukesh D., Eliminated from the FIDE World Cup 2025