Manuel Álvarez Escudero, a 104-year-old from Madrid, is believed to be the oldest active registered chess player in the world. He learned the game 88 years ago, around the time of the Spanish Civil War, and continues to play weekly at the Valdebernardo chess club.
Álvarez, known affectionately as Don Manuel, credits chess with sharpening his mental acuity but says its main benefits have been social. 'What I like most about it is all the friendships it's brought me,' he said. He has made many friends through the game, including at his club which has members from Spain, Syria, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Brazil and Venezuela.
Born in 1919, Álvarez survived the Spanish Civil War in Madrid, where his father died of oesophageal cancer in 1937. He attributes his longevity to not smoking or drinking, though he admits to indulging in chess, football pools and playing cards. He also recently cut out jamón after an attack of gout.
Club president José Luis Uceda Aragoneses praised Álvarez's values, noting that he was always the first to help set up chess sets when he was younger. A rapid chess tournament was held earlier this month to celebrate his 104th birthday.
Álvarez, an engineer by training, built his own lightweight walker. He advises that losing can be educational: 'You can learn a lot by losing.' However, he admits he still prefers winning.
