Why do top GM's “retire” from chess? [closed]
After Kramnik's recent announcement, Nakamura also said in a chess.com interview that he will retire from chess at age 40.
I am curious why a super GM feels the need to "officially retire" from chess (or a format of chess). Why not just stop playing but keep the door open for future events? Who knows, maybe you'll feel different after a break.
To be clear, I am not asking for speculations specific to Kramnik or Naka's mindset. I want to know what concrete, practical reasons there may be for a top GM to announce retirement, like sponsorship or contractual reasons as an example.
Update based on comments and whoever voted to close: I'm specifically not asking for guesses or opinions, but for insight from someone who have knowledge of a super GM's unique situation (be it legal, social, practical or otherwise) to elaborate why it is beneficial to announce retirement rather than simply stop playing.
super-grandmaster careers
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
closed as primarily opinion-based by Brian Towers, Herb Wolfe, Phonon, GloriaVictis, Glorfindel Feb 3 at 13:52
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
After Kramnik's recent announcement, Nakamura also said in a chess.com interview that he will retire from chess at age 40.
I am curious why a super GM feels the need to "officially retire" from chess (or a format of chess). Why not just stop playing but keep the door open for future events? Who knows, maybe you'll feel different after a break.
To be clear, I am not asking for speculations specific to Kramnik or Naka's mindset. I want to know what concrete, practical reasons there may be for a top GM to announce retirement, like sponsorship or contractual reasons as an example.
Update based on comments and whoever voted to close: I'm specifically not asking for guesses or opinions, but for insight from someone who have knowledge of a super GM's unique situation (be it legal, social, practical or otherwise) to elaborate why it is beneficial to announce retirement rather than simply stop playing.
super-grandmaster careers
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
closed as primarily opinion-based by Brian Towers, Herb Wolfe, Phonon, GloriaVictis, Glorfindel Feb 3 at 13:52
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
Chinese chess GM Liu Dahua (age 69) is still playing at top level. On the other hand, there is a Chinese chess master Yu Sihai who basically retired from playing professional Chinese chess at the age of 19. There are different stories and different motivations behind every player.
– Zuriel
Feb 2 at 13:56
1
Not sure there is a good answer to this question. Seems more like asking for guesses to me and as pointed out, reasons might be very different for different people. If anything, retirement (and thus its announcement) would be of interest to tournament organizers and sponsors who would then perhaps not take that player into account anymore.
– user1583209
Feb 2 at 22:07
Sorry, don't agree with the "opinion based" votes. I think there are possible objective answers to this question.
– firtydank
Feb 3 at 17:40
add a comment |
After Kramnik's recent announcement, Nakamura also said in a chess.com interview that he will retire from chess at age 40.
I am curious why a super GM feels the need to "officially retire" from chess (or a format of chess). Why not just stop playing but keep the door open for future events? Who knows, maybe you'll feel different after a break.
To be clear, I am not asking for speculations specific to Kramnik or Naka's mindset. I want to know what concrete, practical reasons there may be for a top GM to announce retirement, like sponsorship or contractual reasons as an example.
Update based on comments and whoever voted to close: I'm specifically not asking for guesses or opinions, but for insight from someone who have knowledge of a super GM's unique situation (be it legal, social, practical or otherwise) to elaborate why it is beneficial to announce retirement rather than simply stop playing.
super-grandmaster careers
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
After Kramnik's recent announcement, Nakamura also said in a chess.com interview that he will retire from chess at age 40.
I am curious why a super GM feels the need to "officially retire" from chess (or a format of chess). Why not just stop playing but keep the door open for future events? Who knows, maybe you'll feel different after a break.
To be clear, I am not asking for speculations specific to Kramnik or Naka's mindset. I want to know what concrete, practical reasons there may be for a top GM to announce retirement, like sponsorship or contractual reasons as an example.
Update based on comments and whoever voted to close: I'm specifically not asking for guesses or opinions, but for insight from someone who have knowledge of a super GM's unique situation (be it legal, social, practical or otherwise) to elaborate why it is beneficial to announce retirement rather than simply stop playing.
super-grandmaster careers
super-grandmaster careers
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
edited Feb 3 at 6:18
firtydank
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
asked Feb 2 at 7:23
firtydankfirtydank
2,90411634
2,90411634
closed as primarily opinion-based by Brian Towers, Herb Wolfe, Phonon, GloriaVictis, Glorfindel Feb 3 at 13:52
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as primarily opinion-based by Brian Towers, Herb Wolfe, Phonon, GloriaVictis, Glorfindel Feb 3 at 13:52
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
Chinese chess GM Liu Dahua (age 69) is still playing at top level. On the other hand, there is a Chinese chess master Yu Sihai who basically retired from playing professional Chinese chess at the age of 19. There are different stories and different motivations behind every player.
– Zuriel
Feb 2 at 13:56
1
Not sure there is a good answer to this question. Seems more like asking for guesses to me and as pointed out, reasons might be very different for different people. If anything, retirement (and thus its announcement) would be of interest to tournament organizers and sponsors who would then perhaps not take that player into account anymore.
– user1583209
Feb 2 at 22:07
Sorry, don't agree with the "opinion based" votes. I think there are possible objective answers to this question.
– firtydank
Feb 3 at 17:40
add a comment |
Chinese chess GM Liu Dahua (age 69) is still playing at top level. On the other hand, there is a Chinese chess master Yu Sihai who basically retired from playing professional Chinese chess at the age of 19. There are different stories and different motivations behind every player.
– Zuriel
Feb 2 at 13:56
1
Not sure there is a good answer to this question. Seems more like asking for guesses to me and as pointed out, reasons might be very different for different people. If anything, retirement (and thus its announcement) would be of interest to tournament organizers and sponsors who would then perhaps not take that player into account anymore.
– user1583209
Feb 2 at 22:07
Sorry, don't agree with the "opinion based" votes. I think there are possible objective answers to this question.
– firtydank
Feb 3 at 17:40
Chinese chess GM Liu Dahua (age 69) is still playing at top level. On the other hand, there is a Chinese chess master Yu Sihai who basically retired from playing professional Chinese chess at the age of 19. There are different stories and different motivations behind every player.
– Zuriel
Feb 2 at 13:56
Chinese chess GM Liu Dahua (age 69) is still playing at top level. On the other hand, there is a Chinese chess master Yu Sihai who basically retired from playing professional Chinese chess at the age of 19. There are different stories and different motivations behind every player.
– Zuriel
Feb 2 at 13:56
1
1
Not sure there is a good answer to this question. Seems more like asking for guesses to me and as pointed out, reasons might be very different for different people. If anything, retirement (and thus its announcement) would be of interest to tournament organizers and sponsors who would then perhaps not take that player into account anymore.
– user1583209
Feb 2 at 22:07
Not sure there is a good answer to this question. Seems more like asking for guesses to me and as pointed out, reasons might be very different for different people. If anything, retirement (and thus its announcement) would be of interest to tournament organizers and sponsors who would then perhaps not take that player into account anymore.
– user1583209
Feb 2 at 22:07
Sorry, don't agree with the "opinion based" votes. I think there are possible objective answers to this question.
– firtydank
Feb 3 at 17:40
Sorry, don't agree with the "opinion based" votes. I think there are possible objective answers to this question.
– firtydank
Feb 3 at 17:40
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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oldest
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I don't know about the practical reasons that you suggest, but I imagine retirement is a way to tell your fans and the world "stop bugging me!". :-) Super-GMs probably retire when they feel they are past their peak and would rather retire at the top of their game than have the world see them decline.
That said, retirement is not irreversible! For example look at Kasparov, who "retired" in 2005 and yet has reappeared in tournaments from time to time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov#Retirement_from_chess.
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
add a comment |
It's like any other profession. For example, just because someone retires from working as a software developer doesn't mean they can't do programming anymore. It's just that their official line of work won't involve software development anymore.
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I don't know about the practical reasons that you suggest, but I imagine retirement is a way to tell your fans and the world "stop bugging me!". :-) Super-GMs probably retire when they feel they are past their peak and would rather retire at the top of their game than have the world see them decline.
That said, retirement is not irreversible! For example look at Kasparov, who "retired" in 2005 and yet has reappeared in tournaments from time to time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov#Retirement_from_chess.
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
add a comment |
I don't know about the practical reasons that you suggest, but I imagine retirement is a way to tell your fans and the world "stop bugging me!". :-) Super-GMs probably retire when they feel they are past their peak and would rather retire at the top of their game than have the world see them decline.
That said, retirement is not irreversible! For example look at Kasparov, who "retired" in 2005 and yet has reappeared in tournaments from time to time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov#Retirement_from_chess.
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
add a comment |
I don't know about the practical reasons that you suggest, but I imagine retirement is a way to tell your fans and the world "stop bugging me!". :-) Super-GMs probably retire when they feel they are past their peak and would rather retire at the top of their game than have the world see them decline.
That said, retirement is not irreversible! For example look at Kasparov, who "retired" in 2005 and yet has reappeared in tournaments from time to time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov#Retirement_from_chess.
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
I don't know about the practical reasons that you suggest, but I imagine retirement is a way to tell your fans and the world "stop bugging me!". :-) Super-GMs probably retire when they feel they are past their peak and would rather retire at the top of their game than have the world see them decline.
That said, retirement is not irreversible! For example look at Kasparov, who "retired" in 2005 and yet has reappeared in tournaments from time to time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov#Retirement_from_chess.
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
answered Feb 2 at 14:03
itubitub
4,22711229
4,22711229
add a comment |
add a comment |
It's like any other profession. For example, just because someone retires from working as a software developer doesn't mean they can't do programming anymore. It's just that their official line of work won't involve software development anymore.
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
add a comment |
It's like any other profession. For example, just because someone retires from working as a software developer doesn't mean they can't do programming anymore. It's just that their official line of work won't involve software development anymore.
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
add a comment |
It's like any other profession. For example, just because someone retires from working as a software developer doesn't mean they can't do programming anymore. It's just that their official line of work won't involve software development anymore.
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
It's like any other profession. For example, just because someone retires from working as a software developer doesn't mean they can't do programming anymore. It's just that their official line of work won't involve software development anymore.
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
answered Feb 2 at 20:42
Inertial IgnoranceInertial Ignorance
5,187413
5,187413
add a comment |
add a comment |
Chinese chess GM Liu Dahua (age 69) is still playing at top level. On the other hand, there is a Chinese chess master Yu Sihai who basically retired from playing professional Chinese chess at the age of 19. There are different stories and different motivations behind every player.
– Zuriel
Feb 2 at 13:56
1
Not sure there is a good answer to this question. Seems more like asking for guesses to me and as pointed out, reasons might be very different for different people. If anything, retirement (and thus its announcement) would be of interest to tournament organizers and sponsors who would then perhaps not take that player into account anymore.
– user1583209
Feb 2 at 22:07
Sorry, don't agree with the "opinion based" votes. I think there are possible objective answers to this question.
– firtydank
Feb 3 at 17:40