Vasyl Ivanchuk: The 56-Year-Old Tank

At 56, Grandmaster Vasyl Ivanchuk, the Ukrainian chess wizard, is rewriting the board’s history. On April 27, 2025, he clinched the IV Menorca Open with a jaw-dropping 8/9 score, capping a month of pure brilliance. By playing 27 games of chess in just 19 days, “Chucky” is setting a precedent and proving that age is just a number. Undefeated in his last 29 classical games, Ivanchuk has been a force of nature, blending genius tactics with that unpredictable spark only he brings.

Ivanchuk’s April rampage began at the Reykjavik Open, snagging second with 7/9. He followed with a 7.5/9 at Costa Blanca, finishing third. Then came Menorca, where he toppled giants like Nihal Sarin, who was also the first seed of the tournament, in a marathon fifth-round clash, seizing the sole lead with 5/5. His final game? A rollercoaster masterpiece, sealing the title with a 2833 performance rating. His fans on the internet are filled with admiration and reverence, including GM Anish Giri;

After a rough patch, Ivanchuk has come in full force, winning 40 Elo points to put himself back in the top 100 players in the world right now. Chuky is currently the oldest player who stands in the world’s top 100. As put by his fans, “Chucky’s playing like time forgot him.” Here’s to Ivanchuk, proving age is just a number and genius is forever.

Photo courtesy: Michal Walusza / FIDE