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It appears that internet users are being misled by a fake image, claiming that an 8-year-old boy played chess with 20 people simultaneously and lost every game. The reality is, this is one of the most celebrated achievements of the chess player Samuel Reshevsky, as he won 19 games and drew 1, without any losses.Cover Image: A game with an 8-piece handicap played by Sam when he was 8 years old in France.Samuel Reshevsky was born in France, beginning his chess journey at the age of 4. By age 6, Sam was renowned as a chess prodigy, playing against multiple opponents simultaneously, regardless of age or skill level. At 8, Sam competed against professional players. When he turned 9 in 1920, his family immigrated to the United States due to the aftermath of World War I.At 9, Sam had a remarkable match in the U.S., facing 20 officers and cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point simultaneously. The final result was 19 wins, 1 draw, without a single loss. Also that year, Sam toured the United States for chess matches, playing a total of 1500 games and losing only 8.
However, Sam did not pursue professional chess competitions. His parents prioritized chess over education, leading to a conviction for improper guardianship by a Manhattan family court. Sam stopped competitive chess from 1924 to 1931 to attend high school, later graduating from the University of Chicago in 1934 with a degree in accounting. He officially ended his career as a chess player, becoming an accountant.Sam is regarded as a skilled player with a brilliant strategic approach. However, he often consumes ample time in the opening moves, which compels him to rush towards the endgame. This tendency perplexes Sam's opponents, yet it stands as his significant drawback. Due to the time pressure associated with this style of play, Sam has never transitioned into a professional player. He candidly acknowledges this flaw in his playing style in his authored book on chess.According to Rarehistoricalphotos
