Best Chess Players Of All Time

Ranking the best chess players is no easy task. As modern chess evolved, chess theory became more complex and more accessible to the wider population, which gave rise to some of the most remarkable chess prodigies ever. Here is the countdown of the 10 best chess players of all time.

Honourable Mentions

Viswanathan ‘Lightning Kid’ Anand

Credited for popularising chess in India, “Vishy” became the first Indian chess Grandmaster in 1988. His speed, sharpness, and rapid pace dubbed him “Lightning Kid”, and his theoretical expertise and universal style led to him winning titles in multiple chess formats, ranging from FIDE world championships to rapid and blitz formats.

Tigran ‘Iron Tigran’ Petrosian

Nicknamed “Iron Tigran”, this chess legend was a four-time Soviet champion and the world champion from 1963 to 1969, when he defeated Grandmaster Mikhail Botvinnik for the title. He was a brilliant strategist, and although less flashy than his peers, his methodical approach and precise and tactical-oriented style earned him a place among the greats.

Alexander ‘Tisha’ Alekhine

Alexander Alekhine is widely regarded as one of the most creative and aggressive players to date. His brilliant sacrificial style, coupled with his deep tactical expertise, earned him the world title in 1927, when he defeated Capablanca despite being an overwhelming underdog. He held the world title for nearly two decades, from 1927 to 1946, except for the period between 1935 and 1937.

10 Best Chess Players of All Time

There are many nuances we have to take into account when ranking the best chess players of all time. Some of them are incredibly creative with their approach, others are calculated and sluggish, preferring to drag the game out in difficult and risky (for their opponents) positions. Silverware also doesn’t, by itself, guarantee that a player is among the best because he could have played against weaker players during his time, on average. From our standpoint, these are the 10 best chess players of all time!

10. Paul ‘The Pride and Sorrow of Chess’ Morphy

Born in 1837 in New Orleans, it was soon obvious that Paul Murphy was a true chess prodigy. Learning chess at a young age, Paul quickly distinguished himself from the competition, and after winning the First American Chess Congress in 1857, he travelled to Europe and won every single match against Europe’s greatest players.

Morphy’s style was far ahead of his time, as he redefined the romantic era of chess with his quick development, precise gameplay, and bold sacrifices. He sadly retired from competitive chess at the age of 22, but was and still is a true innovator and a timeless prodigy.

Although there was no official world championship title in the 19th century, we can safely say that Paul was the unofficial world champion during his time, and certainly one of the best chess players of the 19th century, if not the best!

9. Emanuel Lasker

Lasker was a truly gifted individual, not only regarding his chess skills, but also for being a brilliant mathematician and a philosopher. He is recognised as one of the brightest chess thinkers and strategists of all time, and he holds the world record for the longest reign as a chess World Champion – 27 years (1894 – 1921).

During his reign, he defended the title multiple times, cementing himself as one of the best of his time. His approach was unconventional, as he was a master of creating complex and unbalanced situations on the board, often disregarding the positional rules and common principles.

Lasker’s understanding of chess was unparalleled at the time, which allowed him to introduce fresh tactics and a different way to view chess. His style of play reflected his mathematical and philosophical brilliance, innovating new methods and ways to play the game. These innovations have hugely contributed to the modern chess foundation.

8. Vladimir ‘Vlad the Impaler’ Kramnik

Fast forward to the 2000s, and we get introduced to Vladimir Kramnik – a true modern chess magician. He claimed the world title in the year 2000, when he defeated the legendary Garry Kasparov, who was the reigning champion at the time. Kramnik remained world champion until 2007.

His style can be described as incredibly precise and positional, and he was also an endgame expert. Vladimir’s calmness under pressure, paired with his remarkable chess skill, makes him a formidable opponent.

His take on the Berlin Defense in the match against Kasparov transformed the public’s view on this opening. The Berlin Defense was viewed as passive, and most games using it were likely to end in a draw, but after the Kramnik-Kasparov game, the Berlin Defense became modernised and was reintroduced to current-day chess, due to Kramnik’s exceptional understanding of it. The game even resulted in the Berlin Defense being dubbed the “Berlin Wall”.

7. Mikhail ‘Patriarch’ Botvinnik

Widely known as the founding father of the Soviet chess school, Botvinnik’s contribution to Soviet chess supremacy hugely influenced future generations of Russian chess champions. After winning the 1948 World Chess Championship, he held the world title for 15 years, with a few short pauses.

He governed a chess school that trained Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik, and many more world-class players. Some also argue that he is the most influential chess player to date, as his modus operandi revolutionised chess at the time and laid the foundation for the future generation of chess players.

Botvinnik treated chess like science, and his methodical, scientific approach and meticulous preparation brought a new level of professionalism to the game, establishing him as one of the few true chess pioneers.

6. Mikhail ‘Magician from Riga’ Tal

The legendary “Magician from Riga” was one of the most inspirational and brilliant chess attackers of all time. His style was so unpredictable and overwhelming that he frequently left his opponents in awe, and the matches he participated in were not just mere games – they were often described as pure chess poetry.

Tal dazzled the world with his daring style of play, making some of the most unusual and unorthodox sacrifices work out in his favour, overcoming even the most solid defences he encountered. His rebellious spirit and imaginative creativity heralded him as one of the most beloved chess players of the time.

In 1960, at the age of 23, Tal became the youngest world champion in history at the time, defeating Mikhail Botvinnik. His chronic health issues didn’t hinder his creativity; instead, he remained a fan favourite and a timeless symbol of chess.

5. Jose Raul ‘The Human Chess Machine’ Capablanca

Capablanca is often regarded as one of the most naturally gifted chess players to walk the earth. His talent and deep understanding of chess left a mark on the game as we know it today. He became the World Chess Champion by defeating Emanuel Lasker in 1921.

What set him apart from many of his rivals was his exceptional ability to simplify positions and his unmatched endgame technique. His style was simple yet elegant, and he masterfully avoided unnecessary complications, often leading to brilliant endgames that remain flawless even after nearly a century of analysis.

Capablanca’s precise and tactical approach cemented him as one of the few true endgame masters of chess, and the impact he had on the game is nothing short of monumental.

4. Anatoly ‘The Boa Constrictor’ Karpov

Another endgame prodigy, Karpov, was a strategic master of the game. His rivalry with Kasparov is considered the greatest chess rivalry of all time, defining an entire era of chess. Karpov won over 170 tournaments, a feat which no other Grandmaster achieved. He was a World Champion from 1975 to 1985, and FIDE World Champion from 1993 to 1999.

Setting a new standard for positional play, Karpov deeply influenced the chess community and practices, hugely contributing to chess as we know it today. His games have been thoroughly analysed, and some of them are considered textbook examples for positional chess students. He rarely made an unforced mistake, manoeuvring seemingly equal positions into wins, deeming him a maestro of strategic play.

Karpov’s calm demeanour and strategic methods contributed to his games being regarded as a timeless symbol of clarity and composure, standing in contrast to the more aggressive style of his rival and successor, Garry Kasparov.

3. Robert ‘Bobby’ Fischer

Third place goes to a once-in-a-generation chess phenomenon and revolutionary, Bobby Fischer. He is probably the most famous chess player of all time, as he is recognised as a global symbol of defiance and domination.

During the Cold War, Fischer contributed to elevating chess in the mainstream, becoming the first American to win the World Championship title when he defeated Boris Spassky in 1972. He dominated in a time when Soviet chess players were virtually unstoppable. After the 1972 match, the popularity of chess in America exploded, as Fischer inspired an entirely new generation of chess players.

His innovations and contributions to theoretical preparation are considered foundational pillars of modern chess. His preparation was unmatched at the time, leading to incredibly precise games which, combined with Fischer’s endgame mastery, made him a true all-around chess genius. A true visionary, Fischer’s legacy is one of rebellion and fierce individuality, enduring through the ages and knowing no boundaries.

2. Magnus ‘The GOAT’ Carlsen

The behemoth of modern chess, Magnus Carlsen, is considered to be one of the most complete and versatile players of all time. He dominates all aspects of the game – from deep theoretical knowledge and unshakeable mid-late game, to his razor-sharp precision and extraordinary calculations. Today, he stands unmatched as the world’s best player by a wide margin.

Magnus became the youngest World Champion in history at age 19 in 2010, and in 2014, he achieved the highest Elo rating ever recorded: 2882. He has been a world champion for over a decade, dominating a number of the world’s best players, including Anand, Karjakin, Caruana, and Nepomniachtchi. He is the only player to hold the world championship in all time controls (standard, rapid, and blitz), and he held all three simultaneously in 2019.

Magnus thrives in long battles, where his composure, endurance, and resilience often tire out his opponents. He finds winning moves from seemingly equal positions, pushing chess to its limits. His universal style and remarkable positional understanding make him a jack of all trades and a master of them all. He is also a formidable opponent in chess esports and he currently plays for Team Liquid.

1. Garry ‘The Beast of Baku’ Kasparov

Choosing the greatest of all time is no easy feat, but no other player spent longer at the very top or contributed to chess more than the incredible Garry Kasparov. He has the second highest ELO rating ever achieved – 2851 – and although Magnus Carlsen holds an advantage in this regard, Kasparov has the most tournament victories, and has maintained the longest World Champion title, holding it for 15 consecutive years (the longest undisputed reign in chess history!).

His ambition led to the domination of his rivals, as he stomped through the ranks of the world’s best players. In 1985, he defeated Karpov to become the youngest World Champion ever (at the time), and he was unmatched for over 20 years.

Kasparov was fearless in his aggression, but he never lacked the strategic aspect, blending the two to create a style that was both overwhelming and deeply calculated. He spent countless hours preparing for his games, emphasising the importance of opening theory and often innovating new ideas and stretching the boundaries of chess in his era.

A truly formidable force and a wise scholar, Kasparov remains a chess titan, his legacy shaping the game for years to come.

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