Episode Details

Chess is getting younger—fast. In this episode, we explore the stunning rise of youth dominance in the game, where the average new Grandmaster is now barely 21, down from 30 just a few decades ago. With the internet expanding the talent pool and powerful digital tools accelerating learning, prodigies like Abhimanyu Mishra and Aswath Kaushik are breaking records once thought untouchable. While other sports celebrate older champions thanks to sports science, chess is racing in the opposite direction—and fans are loving it. Is this the golden age of the young chess prodigy? We dive into the technology, the talent, and the thrill of a game transformed by its newest stars.

https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/09/20/the-sport-in-which-nine-year-old-prodigies-are-world-beaters