Shelby Lyman on Chess: Youngest U.S. Grandmaster
Column c2219 for release Feb 9
Sunday, February 15, 2015
(Published in print: Sunday, February 15, 2015)
At 13 years, 10 months and 27 days, Sam Sevian became the youngest grandmaster in U.S. chess history.
Only four players have become grandmasters earlier — the most notable being the 24-year-old Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen, who was six months younger when he gained the title.
Such things do not happen easily.
Home-schooled, the Southbridge, Mass., teenager spends as much as nine hours a day studying the game.
His father, Armen, a scientist, encourages his son’s pursuit but wonders about a future in the brutally competitive arena of grandmaster chess, according to Stan Grossfeld of theBoston Globe.
Not a do-it-aloner like Bobby Fischer, Sam is an Internet kid who uses the Net and Skype for long-distance play and coaching.
What are the chances today of a gifted young player becoming the best in the world?
Source: http://www.vnews.com