Hou Yifan Becomes GM, Breaks Record
Hou Yifan, the 14-year-old Chinese chess prodigy, has recently been awarded the grandmaster title by FIDE. In doing so, she has broken the record set by Judit Polgar in 1991 to become the youngest female grandmaster in the history of chess.
These days, more and more youngsters are becoming grandmasters early; while becoming a GM at 14 is still extraordinary, it's nowhere near the overall record, which is now held by Sergey Karjakin (12 years, 7 months). Amazingly, when Polgar became a GM back in 1991, she set the overall record for becoming the youngest grandmaster ever. In the last two decades, advances in computer technology have allowed exceptional students to improve at a much faster rate, allowing some to reach unprecedented heights.
Yifan is an exceptional talent who has been on the radar screens of most chess followers for a couple years now. China has produced a great deal of chess talent in the past few years, and Yifan may move right to the top of that list in time. While it remains to be seen if she'll be able to reach the heights of the 2700+ club, she's certain to be a strong contender for the Women's World Championship for many years to come.
Comments
Shame in USA schools,that only promote games for develop muscles no mind,
Chine as USRR have introduce the chess as part of its class
As an American, I have to sadly agree with you. It is a sin against our children to hold the professional athletic dullards in this country in such high esteem. It is also a very, very sad commentary on our society when one professional basketball player makes more money in one yr than 30-40 teachers will make in their entire lifetimes- especially given the fact that this basketball player is more than likely functionally illiterate and would make a poor candidate for a pizza delivery job (had he not learned how to jump high and dribble a round ball up and down a wooden floor). Actually, it is more than sad, it is sickly pathetic. We should all be very ashamed.