Seniors clash

Whether you start at 6 or 60, chess lasts a lifetime. Studies have shown that an active mind surely helps combat senility.

Most chess pros peak between the ages of 20 and 40. As they get older, their style becomes familiar to rivals and it’s harder to win. Since chess is a precarious way to earn a living, the strain tends to erode one’s results.

Aging also brings increasing susceptibility to fatigue. Masters may be able to maintain a constant playing strength and yet have a record that declines with age. An exception to the rule is former world championship contender Viktor Korchnoi who at age 78 is still going strong.

Korchnoi led a Swiss team in April to a silver medal behind Russia in a field of 13 nations at the 11th European Senior Team Championship in Veiden, Austria. He was overall high-scorer with 7 1 / 2 out of 9 points on first board.