11 Dec 11
How many have heard about Jonathan Penrose? Another prodigy, well beyond a prodigy, who never became professional.
Indeed, the brother of Roger Penrose ( the world renowned and probably of Britain's greatest physicists ), Jonathan Penrose won the British championship a current record of ten times in the 60s and early 70s and was Britains number 1 an equal amount times in those years. He beat Mikhail Tal when Tal was at his best in 1960, and captained various Olympiad victories for the Britisn team.
A complete sin, if you ask me, that Jonathan never became professional; but he wanted to concentrate on his studies and Doctorate.
I'm sure Luke will become professional soon enough.
-m.
11 Dec 11
Originally posted by atticus2I can understand the desire to make a good living, but the way he's played in the last three LCC's suggests to me that he could probably break into the World elite if he wanted. His play has been really strong! Beating all of the British players. Out of the three leaders, he has possibly the 'easiest' last two games. If he won the tournament, he'd have out performed the four strongest players in the World!
Luke did, and maybe still does, work for Goldman Sachs. I know he did in 2007-08 after completing his Masters degree. Not sure he survived the fall-out from the Crash. But you can be sure he'll not put chess ahead of investment banking, not while he needs to put bread on the table
11 Dec 11
Originally posted by mikelomNot forgetting Oliver Penrose who plays in the Edinburgh Chess.
How many have heard about Jonathan Penrose?
(we have crossed swords twice - one loss and one draw.)
in 2009 aged 80 Oliver won the Lothian Championship seeing off a few
top Scottih players.
He must hold the record for a gap between playing someone again.
I simply cannot recal his opponent but Oliver played him in 1950 and
the next time they met was in a Scottish tounrment 50+ years later.
11 Dec 11
Originally posted by MarinkatombIt's very hard for a Western player, with a Western standard of living, to make professional chess pay. The very elite (top 10 or so) do OK; the rest struggle. Both Anand (in Spain) & Kramnik (in France) live to Western economic standards; some lesser elites (eg Shirov) also. But it's hard, short-lived, and insecure employment
I can understand the desire to make a good living, but the way he's played in the last three LCC's suggests to me that he could probably break into the World elite if he wanted. His play has been really strong! Beating [b]all of the British players. Out of the three leaders, he has possibly the 'easiest' last two games. If he won the tournament, he'd have out performed the four strongest players in the World![/b]
13 Dec 11
Originally posted by atticus2Was he doing IB for Goldman? An odd choice, as usually you see the talented juniors go into prop trading. Wouldn't surprise me if his return to chess last year was related to cutbacks at GS. I thought he qualified for Wijk but it appears that he isn't playing so maybe he has a new job somewhere and his London apearance is a swan song.
It's [b]very hard for a Western player, with a Western standard of living, to make professional chess pay. The very elite (top 10 or so) do OK; the rest struggle. Both Anand (in Spain) & Kramnik (in France) live to Western economic standards; some lesser elites (eg Shirov) also. But it's hard, short-lived, and insecure employment[/b]
Originally posted by nimzo5I'm sure he was victim of the cutbacks. And yes, it looks likely he has a new job.
Was he doing IB for Goldman? An odd choice, as usually you see the talented juniors go into prop trading. Wouldn't surprise me if his return to chess last year was related to cutbacks at GS. I thought he qualified for Wijk but it appears that he isn't playing so maybe he has a new job somewhere and his London apearance is a swan song.
Incidentally, after the latest LCC, Luke (2691) has overtaken Nigel Short (2689) on 'live ratings' to become the 2nd ranked Brit behind Adams (2711). At 2691, that's a new 'top' for Luke too
14 Dec 11
Originally posted by mikelomI have read some great articles on Jonathan in the british magazine "Chess" He played some amazing games
How many have heard about Jonathan Penrose? Another prodigy, well beyond a prodigy, who never became professional.
Indeed, the brother of Roger Penrose ( the world renowned and probably of Britain's greatest physicists ), Jonathan Penrose won the British championship a current record of ten times in the 60s and early 70s and was Britains number 1 an equal ...[text shortened]... te on his studies and Doctorate.
I'm sure Luke will become professional soon enough.
-m.
14 Dec 11
1 edit
Originally posted by ThabtosHa- I think you need to familiarize yourself with how Goldman works. He would have to be a star in IB and have put 10+ years in before he ever started seeing real money. Most never make it that far as they get chewed up by the hours and the backstabbing. An exceptional group of people nonetheless.
I think that McShane has the perfect existence. He gets to make millions during the year, and when Winter comes around, he beats the hell out of the world chess elite.
He was never a victim of cutbacks. He took a sabbatical from GS to play more chess, but he went back.
Then again a junior IB at Goldman will make more money in a couple of years than a lifetime for a pro chess player who isn't a world contender.
14 Dec 11
Originally posted by nimzo5What is "real money?" Annual bonuses for all are substantial at GS even in "bad" years.
Ha- I think you need to familiarize yourself with how Goldman works. He would have to be a star in IB and have put 10+ years in before he ever started seeing real money. Most never make it that far as they get chewed up by the hours and the backstabbing. An exceptional group of people nonetheless.
Then again a junior IB at Goldman will make more money in a couple of years than a lifetime for a pro chess player who isn't a world contender.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/21/goldman-sachs-bonus-cut