Eight year old Ukrainian wins £400 chess tournament 4 days after arriving in UK

Maksym Kryshtafor was the under-8 Ukrainian champion before becoming a refugee, but was only the 55th highest rated player of the 58 in the minor tournament.

Eight-year-old Ukrainian boy stuns after winning Durham chess competition just days after arriving in the UK

Prodigy ?

Seems so. Tragedy can sometimes be an inspiration to the young to succeed.

The young are definitely more resilient than adults. 

Another example is Andy Murray, the top British tennis player in modern history - 3 grand slams, 41 weeks as world #1 at one time - who was a survivor of the Dunblane school shooting, in which 16 children and one teacher were murdered (and 15 others shot), at the age of 8.

I don't recall that one. 

Everyone in the UK knows of it since it was so unusual.

Meanwhile we had 2 mass shootings last month.

I think genetics have more to do with it than some superhero-origin-story-esque BS.

Genetics are part of what allows someone to do what they do, but it is very clear that environment is more important. While this is mainly positive factors: kids don't become successful at sports and games without having thousands of hours of focused effort - certainly so for tennis and chess - I have noticed that exposure to catastrophic events seem also to be a trigger. Obviously, this must be a psychological thing.

Mozart would have never been the composition maestro without the early tutorship of his father Leopold. 

It won't be long before this becomes political.

In before the lock.

chess.com is a peaceful community ngl

it shouldn't be political

just keep it peaceful.

Tell that to those that actually start political discussions, not me. I was just warning

Don't, @ChessPawn921, or you will be blocked, like anyone who posted a political comment would.

He is likely very bright. While some would wish he have a stellar chess career, I would hope he finds some other metier (unless he is truly exceptional at chess!). At present he is just very good for his age (good enough to win a minor adult tournament).

Congrats