Why Does GM At 16 Feel Old?

I recently read a news report right here on chess.com about the recent Old Masters Rapid Tournament. In the news report, a few of the Masters are quoted with one sentence remarks about how chess has changed, which is something that is very difficult to argue. With computers getting better and better at chess, and technology reaching a point where someone can take lessons from someone thousands of miles from them, we have been forced into a new era of chess whether we like it or not. The ability to compete internationally without utilizing these resources for study is becoming smaller and smaller. But what is the actual impact of this “new era”?

The biggest impact seems to be amongst the generation growing up in this era. One of the most incredible things to me about chess today is the number of young players that are absolutely unbelievable. If you haven’t noticed it yet (which I imagine would be very difficult) just go check out FIDE’s Top 100 Juniors List and look at the birth years. The number 1 spot is held by 16-year old Super Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja which is incredible, but continue on from there and you can see some on the list as young as 13-years old!

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