Why Did Joshua Waitzkin Stop Playing Chess? (Answered)

Every now and then the world witnesses the appearance of outstanding people. Sometimes in arts, sometimes in sports, and so on.

For those who are not so acquainted with the world of chess, the name Joshua Waitzkin may not mean much. However, anyone who dedicated some time to this game or lifestyle will surely have heard of him.

Having baffled the world of chess since his early years, Waitzkin has focused on quality ever since he could grasp the concept of this feature. Prominent as he was, in the eyes of the ones in the chess world, a new phenomenon was born.

However, too early this great promise decided to stop playing —and until today no one is really sure why.

Why Did Joshua Waitzkin Stop Playing Chess?

No Further Success?

On one side, some believe he realized that, even though he seemed to have no match, he did. That is to say, once he became older and wiser, he realized his path would lead him to a place wherein he may not be as successful as he first imagined.

Considering his astronomic rise, that is not a point of view most people who knew Waitzkin want to believe in.

Lost Passion?

On the other side, there are those who trust Waitzkin’s words that he simply lost his love for the game.

In an interview given some years ago, Waitzkin confessed to losing the passion that drove him to excel in chess and that, due to that, he would no longer be able to pursue the utmost quality levels in chess.

This seemed to be enough motivation for the young star to actually quit playing the game and focus on activities to master.

Climbing Up The Rank

Surely, at first glance, Waitzkin’s career had no reason to be interrupted. Starting at six years old, when he first had contact with the game while strolling with his mother around Washington Square Park in New York, he quickly absorbed the aggressive and intuitive style of the local chess hustlers.

Less than a year later, he was already under the tutorage of Bruce Pandolfini, a renowned U.S. chess coach.

At the age of nine, he was already winning national competitions, and at eleven he drew with Garry Kasparov, a World Champion and one of the best to ever play the game.

The Ultimate Reason

Waitzkin officially became a National Master at thirteen and an International one at sixteen. Throughout his teenage years, he never stopped winning and amazing spectators, players, coaches, and masters.

In his young adult years, this chess sensation simply decided to stop playing chess and shifted his winning mindset to martial arts to the surprise, or disappointment, of many.

He Is Still A Star To Many

In the face of the sudden change to martial arts, most people who followed his astounding career doubted Waitzkin would succeed as much in any other endeavor.

However, to the amazement of everyone, he went on to become a star in every single activity he put his efforts into. What about you? Would you be brave enough to give up such a career to follow your passion?