[colmvp]

A question I was thinking about this week: Why do some GM's drop in peak performance? It's common to see players have a golden age of performance where they are near unbeatable. But unlike physical sports, GM's don't exactly suffer from physical deterioration do they?

[jonahx]

> But unlike physical sports, GM's don't exactly suffer from physical deterioration do they?

The mind is just as physical as anything else.

It's a deeply complex question, but generally speaking most forms of cognition -- including processing speed, working memory, and fluid intelligence -- decline with age beginning in your twenties:

https://www.quora.com/Intelligence-and-Genetics-Can-does-IQ-...

[gmiller123456]

There is a lot of study and memorization involved in playing at the top level (or even the amateur level). Once they lose the will and/or ability to keep up with others, then they'll start declining. In my experience, I see most kids peak around their senior year in high school, where college and other responsibilities start to dominate their time.