Below we look at the ELO estimates by age for Play Magnus – the app that emulates the playing strength of the world’s top chess player Magnus Carlsen.
It goes from ages 5 to 30.
It represents a skill level that ranges from just knowing how to move the pieces to that of a nearly 2900 FIDE rating player representing a modern World Chess Champion.
Magnus Carlsen / Play Magnus App ELO Rating by Age
5 years old: 200
Magnus Carlsen began playing chess at the age of 5. In Magnus’ own words, basically just learning how to move the pieces.
Playing the app at an age of 5 basically represents the easiest matchup possible.
At this age, Magnus basically just knew the basic rules. There is basically no tactical knolwedge or logic behind most of the moves.
6 years old: 500
7 years old: 800
8 years old: 900
9 years old: 1200
By 9 years old, the app is already at a fairly intermediate level of play.
10 years old: 2200
At age 10, the app represents a well above-average level of play.
Players will notice a big difference between the age 9 and age 10 settings, as Magnus gained around 1,000 rating points in a single year at this point in his life.
Many GMs and IMs played against Age 10 Magnus as part of the Play Magnus Challenge, as part of the Champions Chess Tour Airthings Masters 2022.
Given the time pressure, this low-2000s level bot gave the players lots of trouble.
IM Jovanka Houska vs. Magnus Carlsen Age 10 | Play Magnus App
11 years old: 2300
Age 11 represents around FIDE Master (FM) level of play, which also matches up with where Magnus was at that age.
12 years old: 2400
This is FIDE International Master (IM) level play.
13 years old: 2500
Magnus became a GM at 13, so 13 represents around 2,500 play.
So if you’re looking for baseline GM-level play, Magnus age 13 is a good matchup.
14 years old: 2600
15 years old: 2600
Magnus’ rating stalled out around 2600 when he was 14-15.
Play Magnus age 15 might be a little stronger than age 14, but they are comparable.
They represent what it’s like playing your average chess grandmaster.
16 years old: 2700
Magnus ascended to “super GM” level at age 16, and was also the age at which Magnus realized he could one day become World Champion, so even the best players in the world will find Play Magnus age 16 challenging.
17 years old: 2750
Definitely super GM level play, which most define as something around 2700-2750 level play.
18 years old: 2800
Play Magnus age 18 is at a level that almost everyone will struggle with, even Magnus himself as shown in the video below.
Magnus Carlsen vs. Himself at Age 18 on the Play Magnus app
19 years old: 2820
Rating continues to go up gradually.
20 years old: 2830
21 years old: 2840
These ratings are now comparable to only a handful of chess players today.
22 years old: 2850
23 years old: 2870
By age 23, Magnus officially became World Chess Champion, though he had already been widely regarded as the best player in the world for about 4 years and the future of chess for 6-7 years.
24 years old: 2880
Magnus once said his age 24 play was his best ever, hitting a peak rating of 2889 (2882 officially).
25 years old: 2850+
After age 25, the AI difficulty roughly evens out.
The Play Magnus app stops going after age 30 (when it stopped development), considering there really is no effective difference in the difficulty past age 25.
And differences between the age 18 and age 25 levels are marginal, roughly less than 100 rating points.
What is Play Magnus?
Play Magnus is a chess app that emulates the play of World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen based on certain ages.
The idea behind Play Magnus
This can be used to play a chess AI that provides for a good challenge.
If you want an easier matchup, use a lower age. If you want a harder matchup, use a higher age.
You can also use the app to improve your chess skills.
Why is this useful?
This app is useful because it allows people of all skill levels to play against an AI that is scaled to their ability.
It is also helpful for people who want to improve their chess skills, as they can get tailored instruction based on their level.
How is this different from other chess apps?
Most chess apps only allow you to play against an AI or another person.
Play Magnus also allows you to see how your skills stack up against those of the World Chess Champion at different points in his life.
What are the benefits of using Play Magnus?
- You can improve your chess skills by playing against Magnus Carlsen at different ages
- You can see how your ELO rating compares to Magnus Carlsen’s at different ages
- You can learn more about chess strategy by watching Magnus Carlsen’s gameplay
If you are looking for a chess app that allows you to play against an AI that is scaled to your ability, then Play Magnus is the app for you. If you want to improve your chess skills, this app is also a great choice.
Chess.com acquisition of Play Magnus
Chess.com bought Play Magnus in August 2022 for $83 million.
Magnus owned about 10% of the holding company.
Magnus Carlsen Takes the 100 Endgames Test!
FAQs – Play Magnus
What is the Play Magnus app?
The Play Magnus app is an AI chess app that allows you to play against different versions of Magnus Carlsen at different ages.
What are the benefits of using Play Magnus?
- You can improve your chess skills by playing against Magnus Carlsen at different ages
- You can see how your ELO rating compares to Magnus Carlsen’s at different ages
- You can learn more about chess strategy by watching Magnus Carlsen’s gameplay
How much does the Play Magnus app cost?
The app is free to download, but there are in-app purchases available.
Is the Play Magnus app available for Android and iOS?
Yes, the app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
What is the highest ELO rating you can play in the Play Magnus app?
The highest ELO rating you can play in the app is around 2880-2900, which is the same rating that Magnus Carlsen had at age 24.
Is Magnus Carlsen the strongest chess player of all time?
He has the highest ELO of all time and many would say so. But that debate is for a separate article 🙂
How old is Magnus Carlsen?
Magnus Carlsen was born on November 30, 1990.
Conclusion – Play Magnus
The Play Magnus app is a great way to improve your chess skills by playing against different versions of Magnus Carlsen at different ages.
You can also see how your ELO rating compares to Magnus Carlsen’s at different ages, and learn more about chess strategy by watching Magnus Carlsen’s gameplay.
The app is free to download, but there are in-app purchases available.
The highest ELO rating you can play in the app is around 2880-2900, which is the same rating that Magnus Carlsen had in his mid-20s up to the present.
I think Magnus Carlsen in the play magnus app is stronger than 1000 elo at age 9. He has beaten me a lot. My classical rating is 1905 in lichess. I think, magnus’ elo at age 9 is around 1600-1700 in the app.