Chess players

Short answer: it’s subjective. Using a blend of peak strength (era-adjusted), dominance, longevity, and contribution to theory, a widely accepted top 10 is: - Garry Kasparov – Unmatched dominance 1985–2005; world no. 1 for ~20 years; towering opening prep. - Magnus Carlsen – Highest rating ever (2882), multi-format world champion, unrivaled consistency and endgame technique. - Bobby Fischer – Historic 1970–72 peak, revolutionized professionalism and opening theory, massive rating gap to peers. - Anatoly Karpov – Decade-long supremacy post-1975, positional master with phenomenal tournament results. - Emanuel Lasker – World champion for 27 years (1894–1921); pragmatic, resilient style far ahead of his era. - José Raúl Capablanca – Natural prodigy, endgame virtuoso, world champion 1921–27, near-unbeatable at peak. - Alexander Alekhine – Ferocious attacker and theoretician; reclaimed the title, vast opening contributions. - Mikhail Botvinnik – “Patriarch” of Soviet chess; multiple reigns, scientific approach that shaped generations. - Vladimir Kramnik – Dethroned Kasparov in 2000, pioneer of Berlin/Anti-Marshall era, universal style and elite longevity. - Viswanathan Anand – World champion across knockout, tournament, and match formats; rapid/classical excellence over decades. Honorable mentions (very close): Mikhail Tal (tactical genius, 1960 champ), Paul Morphy (proto-modern dominance), Tigran Petrosian (defensive pioneer), Vasily Smyslov (harmonious style, 1957 champ), Wilhelm Steinitz (first official world champ, foundational ideas), Ding Liren (modern champ), Fabiano Caruana, Anatoly (sic; already listed), and others. If you want, I can tailor the list to a specific criterion—pure peak strength, best match players only, or most influential innovators.

There is no universally agreed ranking, but if we consider peak playing strength, dominance over their contemporaries, world championship achievements, longevity, and influence on chess, this would be my top 10.The 10 greatest chess players of all time 1. Magnus Carlsen (Norway)My GOAT pickWorld Champion: 2013–2023Highest-ever FIDE rating: 2882Exceptional endgame technique and consistency.Arguably the most complete chess player ever, dominant in classical, rapid, and blitz. 2. Garry Kasparov (Russia)World Champion: 1985–2000World No. 1 for approximately 20 years.Extraordinary preparation, aggression, and calculation.The strongest candidate for greatest chess player ever alongside Carlsen. 3. Bobby Fischer (USA)World Champion: 1972–1975Defeated Boris Spassky in the famous 1972 match.One of the most extraordinary individual peaks in chess history.His dominance in 1970–1972 was almost unbelievable. 4. Anatoly Karpov (Russia)World Champion: 1975–1985Renowned for positional mastery.One of the greatest tournament performers ever.His ability to slowly suffocate opponents was remarkable. 5. José Raúl Capablanca (Cuba)World Champion: 1921–1927Famous for almost effortless-looking positional play.One of history's greatest natural chess talents.His endgame technique was decades ahead of its time. 6. Emanuel Lasker (Germany)World Champion: 1894–1921Held the world title for 27 years.Brilliant psychological and practical player.His longevity at the very top is extraordinary. 7. Mikhail Botvinnik (Soviet Union)World Champion across three periods: 1948–1963.Pioneer of scientific chess preparation.Helped establish the Soviet chess school.His influence on generations of elite players was enormous. 8. Alexander Alekhine (Russia/France)World Champion: 1927–1935 and 1937–1946.Famous for spectacular attacking combinations.One of the greatest tactical players ever.His creativity made him particularly dangerous. 9. Viswanathan Anand (India)World Champion across multiple championship cycles.Elite for several decades.Exceptional speed and tactical intuition.One of the most versatile champions in chess history. 10. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia)Classical World Champion: 2000–2007.Defeated Kasparov in 2000.Revolutionized opening preparation, particularly with the Berlin Defence.An exceptional positional player and theoretician.Just outside the top 10These players have legitimate arguments for inclusion:Mikhail Tal – Perhaps the most imaginative attacking player ever.Paul Morphy – Arguably the most dominant player of the 19th century.Tigran Petrosian – Defensive genius.Judit Polgár – Widely considered the greatest woman chess player ever.Boris Spassky – Exceptionally versatile world champion.Who is actually the GOAT?My verdict:CategoryMy choiceGreatest overallMagnus CarlsenGreatest rival to CarlsenGarry KasparovHighest peak dominanceBobby FischerGreatest longevityEmanuel LaskerGreatest natural talentCapablancaGreatest attacking geniusMikhail TalGreatest positional playerAnatoly KarpovOne important distinction: If we're asking who was the strongest relative to their own era, Fischer and Morphy have particularly strong arguments. If we're asking who could play the strongest chess by modern standards, Carlsen and Kasparov are my top two.For another perspective: Chess.com's historical top 10  and historical peak-rating comparisons  offer useful alternative rankings.

# Top 10 Chess Players of All Time This is one of the most debated topics in chess, since there's no single objective way to compare players across different eras. Several methods have been suggested for comparing the greatest chess players in history, and while there's agreement on the Elo system for rating current players, there's disagreement about methods used to compare players from different generations who never competed against each other, since Elo can only compare players' success rate to their contemporaries. That said, most expert lists converge on a similar core group. Here's a commonly cited ranking, drawing on sources like Chess.com and ChessWorld: 1. **Magnus Carlsen** – the only player to hold the world championship in all time controls (standard, rapid, and blitz)—he held all three simultaneously in 2019. In 2009 he became the youngest player in history to reach the 2800-rating threshold, and on April 21, 2014, he reached his peak rating and the highest rating ever at 2889 (later lists cite 2882 as his official peak). 2. **Garry Kasparov** – the 13th world champion who held the title from 1985 to 2000, first reached the number-one ranking in 1984, and with a few minor exceptions remained the number-one player in the world until 2006, dominating the chess world for over 20 years. 3. **Bobby Fischer** – Widely regarded as one of the most naturally talented players ever; GM Miguel Quinteros called him "the greatest chess player of all time," stating "no one equals Fischer's talent and perfection." 4. **José Raúl Capablanca** – Known as the "Human Chess Machine," he won the World Chess Championship in 1921, representing Cuba, and retained it until 1927. 5. **Anatoly Karpov** – World Champion known for his positional mastery and long reign at the top during the 1970s-80s. 6. **Emanuel Lasker** – Held the World Championship for 27 years, the longest reign in chess history. 7. **Alexander Alekhine** – Known for his attacking, combinative style and contributions to opening theory. 8. **Mikhail Botvinnik** – The "Patriarch of the Soviet Chess School," who shaped generations of Soviet grandmasters. 9. **Viswanathan Anand** – The 15th undisputed chess champion and surely the greatest Indian chess player of all time. 10. **Vladimir Kramnik** – Famous for defeating Kasparov in 2000 and his deep positional understanding. This particular ordering closely follows ChessWorld's Top 10: Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, Emanuel Lasker, Jose Raul Capablanca, Mikhail Botvinnik, Alexander Alekhine, Viswanathan Anand, and Vladimir Kramnik. **Other common contenders** who frequently appear on various "top 10" lists include **Paul Morphy** (the embodiment of romantic attacking chess, the strongest player of the 1850s and the best player of the entire 19th century), **Mikhail Tal**, and **Fabiano Caruana**. **Why rankings vary so much:** Even top players disagree. Hikaru Nakamura stated that Kasparov and Carlsen should be at number 1 and number 2 respectively due to Kasparov's time as world number one being greater than Carlsen's, while Fabiano Caruana said Carlsen and Kasparov both have a legitimate claim to being called the GOAT, giving slight preference to Kasparov "in terms of his level of dominance." Meanwhile, Anand stated in 2012 that he considered Fischer the best player and also the greatest, because of the hurdles he faced. So while Carlsen and Kasparov almost always top these lists, the exact ranking of #3-10 depends heavily on whether you weight peak rating, longevity, dominance, or historical influence most heavily.

While ranking the top chess players of all time is always subject to debate—due to changing eras, the introduction of computer engines, and different metrics (peak rating, tournament dominance, length of reign, and historical impact)—historians, grandmasters, and major chess platforms generally converge on a consensus Top 10. The most widely accepted top 10 chess players of all time, in order, are: ### 1. Garry Kasparov * **Country:** Russia (Soviet Union) * **Era:** 1980s–2000s * **Why he’s here:** Kasparov is considered by many to be the greatest competitor in chess history. He became the youngest undisputed World Champion ever in 1985 at age 22 and remained the world's #1 ranked player almost continuously for 20 years. He pushed opening theory to unprecedented depths and retired from professional classical chess in 2005 while still holding the #1 ranking. ### 2. Magnus Carlsen * **Country:** Norway * **Era:** 2010s–Present * **Why he’s here:** Carlsen holds the highest peak classical Elo rating in chess history (2882). He is a multi-format genius, having simultaneously held the World Championship titles in classical, rapid, and blitz chess. His remarkable endgame mastery, universal style, and incredible longevity at the summit make a strong statistical case for him as the best ever. ### 3. Bobby Fischer * **Country:** United States * **Era:** 1960s–1970s * **Why he’s here:** Fischer single-handedly broke the Soviet dominance of chess during the Cold War, culminating in his historic 1972 World Championship match against Boris Spassky. At his peak, his dominance was arguably the most overwhelming in history; he famously won 20 consecutive games against elite grandmasters and achieved a peak rating that left his contemporaries far behind. ### 4. Anatoly Karpov * **Country:** Russia (Soviet Union) * **Era:** 1970s–1990s * **Why he’s here:** Karpov was a relentless, Boa-constructor-style positional master. He was the World Champion for a decade and accumulated over 160 elite tournament victories—more than anyone else in history except Kasparov. His consistency at the highest level spanned several decades. ### 5. José Raúl Capablanca * **Country:** Cuba * **Era:** 1910s–1930s * **Why he’s here:** Known as the "Chess Machine," Capablanca was a natural prodigy who went an astonishing eight years (from 1916 to 1924) without losing a single tournament game. He became World Champion in 1921 and possessed an intuitive, crystal-clear style, particularly in the endgame, that made him nearly impossible to defeat. ### 6. Emanuel Lasker * **Country:** Germany * **Era:** 1890s–1920s * **Why he’s here:** Lasker held the World Championship crown for an all-time record **27 years** (1894 to 1921). A mathematical genius and philosopher, Lasker pioneered a psychological approach to chess, often willingly playing objectively "worse" positions if he knew it would make his opponent uncomfortable and prone to mistakes. ### 7. Mikhail Botvinnik * **Country:** Russia (Soviet Union) * **Era:** 1930s–1960s * **Why he’s here:** Botvinnik was the patriarch of the famous Soviet chess school, holding or regaining the World Championship across three different decades. Aside from his own incredible play, his greatest legacy was as a trainer, mentoring future World Champions like Kasparov, Karpov, and Vladimir Kramnik. ### 8. Alexander Alekhine * **Country:** Russia / France * **Era:** 1920s–1940s * **Why he’s here:** Alekhine was a ferocious, brilliant attacking genius. He famously studied chess deeply into the night and could unleash overwhelming combinations from seemingly balanced positions. He regained the World title twice and died as the reigning World Champion in 1946, the only champion to do so. ### 9. Viswanathan Anand * **Country:** India * **Era:** 1990s–2010s * **Why he’s here:** "Vishy" Anand is India's first grandmaster and a five-time World Chess Champion across multiple formats (tournament, match, and rapid). Known for his astonishing calculation speed and versatility, Anand successfully defended his crown against multiple generations of players, maintaining elite status for over three decades. ### 10. Mikhail Tal * **Country:** Latvia (Soviet Union) * **Era:** 1950s–1960s * **Why he’s here:** Nicknamed the "Magician from Riga", Tal was the ultimate attacking genius. He played wild, deeply complex, and often "unsound" sacrifices that terrified opponents because they created board positions that computers and humans alike could not untangle in real-time. He was a former World Champion and put together a legendary 95-game unbeaten streak. *** *Honorable Mentions:* **Vladimir Kramnik**, **Tigran Petrosian**, **Boris Spassky**, and **Judit Polgár** (the strongest female chess player in history, who peaked inside the world's top 10).

**There is no single official ranking of the top 10 chess players of all time, as it is inherently subjective.** Criteria typically include peak playing strength (e.g., Elo ratings or engine-adjusted accuracy), longevity/dominance over peers, world championship titles and defenses, tournament results, historical impact, and contributions to theory/style. Rating inflation, era differences (pre- vs. post-computer, stronger competition today), and varying styles make direct comparisons difficult.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_top_chess_players_throughout_history) Common consensus top players (appearing frequently across expert lists, Chess.com articles, statistical analyses like Chessmetrics, and engine comparisons) include Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, José Raúl Capablanca, and others like Emanuel Lasker, Mikhail Botvinnik, and Alexander Alekhine.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) ### A Widely Cited Ranking (Chess.com’s “The 10 Best Chess Players Of All Time”) This popular list (updated as recently as late 2025) from the major chess platform emphasizes a mix of the above factors. Honorable mentions just outside the top 10 include Paul Morphy (unofficial 19th-century dominant force and romantic-era genius), Tigran Petrosian (defensive “Iron Tigran,” World Champion 1963–1969), and Viswanathan Anand (multiple-time World Champion, versatile, and huge influence especially in India).[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) Here is their top 10 (with brief notes): 1. **Garry Kasparov (Russia, b. 1963)**: Often regarded as the GOAT for his long dominance. Youngest undisputed World Champion (1985 at age 22); held the title until 2000; world #1 for a record ~20+ years (with minor exceptions until ~2006); peak Elo 2851; fierce attacking style, deep preparation (pioneered computer use), and massive tournament success. Revolutionized the game.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 2. **Magnus Carlsen (Norway, b. 1990)**: Highest peak Elo ever (2882 official / higher live); World Champion 2013–2023 (defended multiple times); long-time #1 (over a decade, still top-rated as of recent lists); only player to hold classical, rapid, and blitz titles simultaneously; exceptional endgame technique, universal style, and consistency (e.g., long undefeated streaks). Dominates the modern super-strong era.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 3. **Bobby Fischer (USA, 1943–2008)**: World Champion 1972–1975; most famous player ever for defeating the Soviet system in the Cold War “Match of the Century” vs. Spassky; unprecedented 20-game winning streak vs. elite opposition (1970–71); peak dominance and accuracy that shocked the world; genius-level precision and originality. Short reign but enormous impact and peak strength relative to peers.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 4. **José Raúl Capablanca (Cuba, 1888–1942)**: World Champion 1921–1927; nicknamed the “Human Chess Machine” for near-flawless, effortless positional and endgame play; remarkable unbeaten streaks (e.g., years without a loss); natural talent often called one of the greatest pure gifts in chess history.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 5. **Anatoly Karpov (Russia, b. 1951)**: World Champion 1975–1985 (and FIDE Champion later in the 1990s); positional/strategic master with superb technique and prophylaxis; enormous tournament win record; long rivalry with Kasparov (multiple epic matches); top player for ~20 years.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 6. **Mikhail Botvinnik (USSR/Russia, 1911–1995)**: “Patriarch of the Soviet Chess School”; World Champion (intermittently) 1948–1963; scientific, logical, adaptable style; top player for decades; mentor to future champions (Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik); foundational influence on modern training.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 7. **Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, b. 1975)**: Classical World Champion 2000–2007 (dethroned Kasparov; unified the title); extremely solid, universal, hard-to-beat style with elite endgames; long career at the absolute top.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 8. **Emanuel Lasker (Germany, 1868–1941)**: World Champion for a record 27 years (1894–1921); psychological and practical genius; long career spanning decades at a high level; defended the title multiple times successfully.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 9. **Mikhail Tal (USSR/Latvia, 1936–1992)**: “Magician from Riga”; World Champion 1960–1961 (youngest at the time); brilliant, intuitive attacking and sacrificial style that inspired generations; highly creative combinational play.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) 10. **Alexander Alekhine (Russia/France, 1892–1946)**: World Champion 1927–1935 and 1937–1946 (only champion to die holding the title); dynamic, complex, combinational style; defeated Capablanca as an underdog; deep theoretical contributions.[[2]](https://www.chess.com/article/view/best-chess-players-of-all-time) ### Other Perspectives and Variations - **Peak rating / modern strength bias**: Carlsen often ranks #1 (highest Elo; engine accuracy studies frequently place him or recent players highest in pure move quality). Kasparov and Fischer follow closely.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_top_chess_players_throughout_history) - **Dominance/longevity**: Kasparov or Lasker frequently top longer-term metrics (Chessmetrics, months at #1). Fischer stands out for relative dominance over contemporaries (largest rating gap to #100 in some analyses).[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_top_chess_players_throughout_history) - **Statistical/engine comparisons** (e.g., Chessmetrics, CAPS, Kaufman analyses): Vary by methodology—Kasparov, Fischer, Carlsen, Karpov, Capablanca, Botvinnik, and Lasker recur in the top tier. Time-adjusted lists can elevate earlier players like Fischer or Capablanca.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_top_chess_players_throughout_history) - **Other frequent inclusions**: Paul Morphy (for 19th-century supremacy and influence), Viswanathan Anand (versatility and titles across formats/eras), and occasionally others like Wilhelm Steinitz (first official champion and positional foundations) or Viktor Korchnoi (longevity as a top contender). Debates often center on Kasparov vs. Carlsen (longevity/impact vs. peak modern strength) or the relative weight of Fischer’s brief but transcendent peak. Rankings evolve with new data, engines, and perspectives—Carlsen’s continued activity keeps the conversation live. For deeper dives, check Chess.com’s Hall of Fame series, Wikipedia’s comparison page, or books like Kasparov’s *My Great Predecessors*.

I'll gather expert consensus to compile a definitive top 10 of all time. There is no single official ranking, but most historians and major publications agree on a similar pool of players, with differing order based on criteria - longevity, peak Elo relative to era, World Championship titles, and influence on theory. The most cited list is Chess.com's **The 10 Best Chess Players Of All Time**: > **Here are the top 10 best chess players:** > - #10 Alexander Alekhine > - #9 Mikhail Tal > - #8 Emanuel Lasker > - #7 Vladimir Kramnik > - #6 Mikhail Botvinnik > - #5 Anatoly Karpov > - #4 Jose Raul Capablanca > - #3 Bobby Fischer > - #2 Magnus Carlsen > - #1 Garry Kasparov With Honorable Mentions - Paul Morphy, Tigran Petrosian and Viswanathan Anand Most other consensus rankings contain the same 10-11 names, often swapping the order of the top 2 and including Anand in the top 10: | Rank | Player | Country | Primary Era | Career Highlight | |---|---|---|---|---| | **10** | Mikhail Tal | Soviet Union (Latvia) | 1950s–1970s | “The Magician from Riga”; 8th World Champion; legendary attacking sacrifices. | | **9** | Viswanathan Anand | India | 1990s–2010s | 5-time World Champion across all 3 formats (Match, Tournament, Knockout). | | **8** | Alexander Alekhine | France / Russia | 1920s–1940s | 4-time World Champion; fierce tactical visionary; held title until his death. | | **7** | Mikhail Botvinnik | Soviet Union | 1930s–1960s | 3-time World Champion; patriarch of the Soviet Chess School | | **6** | José Raúl Capablanca | Cuba | 1910s–1930s | 3rd World Champion; 8-year undefeated streak (63 games) | | **5** | Emanuel Lasker | Germany | 1890s–1920s | Longest-reigning World Champion in history (27 consecutive years, 1894–1921). | | **4** | Anatoly Karpov | Soviet Union / Russia | 1970s–1990s | 160+ tournament victories; 10-year World Champion; master of positional squeeze. | | **3** | Bobby Fischer | United States | 1960s–1970s | 11th World Champion; 125-point rating gap over world #2; 1972 Match of the Century winner. | | **2** | Magnus Carlsen | Norway | 2010s–2020s | 5-time World Champion; highest peak Elo in history (2882); 125-game unbeaten streak. | | **1** | Garry Kasparov | Soviet Union / Russia | 1980s–2000s | World #1 for 255 months; 6-time World Champion; highest peak Elo of the pre-engine era (2851). | ### Profiles **1. Garry Kasparov -** Ranked #1 by Chess.com. 6-time World Chess Champion (1985–2000), 11 Chess Oscars. Ranked World #1 for 255 total months; youngest undisputed World Champion in history (age 22 in 1985); peak Elo of 2851. In modern historical ranking debates, **Team Kasparov is “Most dominant champion ever.”** **2. Magnus Carlsen -** #2 on Chess.com but ranked #1 by several modern analyses. The strongest case for the greatest is Magnus Carlsen, but the fairest answer is still era-dependent. GM Magnus Carlsen is the only player to hold the world championship in all time controls (standard, rapid, and blitz)—he held all three simultaneously in 2019. In 2009 he became the youngest player in history to reach the 2800-rating threshold, and on April 21, 2014, he reached his peak rating and the **highest rating ever** at 2889. Other sources list his peak as 2882 and his table entry as 2882. He has been the number-one ranked player since 2011 and went on a 125-game undefeated streak in standard time controls. **Team Carlsen is “Most complete player ever.”** **3. Bobby Fischer -** #3 on Chess.com. GM Bobby Fischer was the 11th official world champion as well as the first and only American world champion. From 1970 to 1971 Fischer won 20 consecutive games against world-class opposition, including historic 6-0 shutout victories over Taimanov and Larsen in the Candidates matches. Peak rating of 2785. **Team Fischer is “Most pure genius ever.”** **4. José Raúl Capablanca -** Third official world champion and possibly the most talented chess player ever. From 1916 through 1924 he amassed a tournament record of 40 wins and 23 draws, the 8-year undefeated streak noted as 63 games. Known for effortless endgame perfection. **5. Anatoly Karpov -** 12th world champion and reigned from 1975 to 1985 while also being the FIDE world champion from 1993 to 1999. Holds 160+ elite tournament victories; peak Elo of 2780. Known for positional binds, prophylactic play, and wonderful endgame technique. **6. Mikhail Botvinnik -** Known as the "father of the Soviet chess school." The sixth world champion reigned from 1948 to 1963. 3-time World Champion (1948–1957, 1958–1960, 1961–1963). Teacher of three future world champions (Karpov, Kasparov, and Kramnik). **7. Vladimir Kramnik -** World champion from 2000 to 2007. He became the classical world champion by dethroning the legendary Kasparov in 2000, defended in 2004 and unified the title in 2006. Known for fantastic endgame play and being one of the most difficult players to defeat. **8. Emanuel Lasker -** Second official world champion and held the title for 27 years. His reign from 1894 to 1921 is the longest of any world chess champion. A philosopher and mathematician who pioneered psychological warfare at the board. **9. Mikhail Tal -** Also known as the "Magician from Riga," was the eighth official world champion. He defeated Botvinnik in 1960 to earn the crown at the age of 23 and a half, becoming the youngest world champion in history at the time. Known for brilliant attacking style and sacrifices; quote: "You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5..." **10. Alexander Alekhine -** Fourth official world champion and held the title from 1927 to 1946 (with an exception during 1935-1937). Only World Champion to die holding the title. Brilliant and well-rounded with special ability for combinational play in complex positions. #### Honorable Mentions often in Top 10 debates: * **Viswanathan Anand** - FIDE world champion from 2000 to 2002 and the 15th undisputed champion from 2007 to 2013, 5-time World Champion with Peak Elo of 2817, the strongest Indian grandmaster of all time. * **Paul Morphy** - embodiment of romantic attacking chess, strongest player of the 1850s and best player of entire 19th century, recognized as unofficial world champion. * **Tigran Petrosian** - "Iron Tigran," world champion during 1963-1969, known for defensive prowess and exchange sacrifices. > Most serious chess historians usually land in one of these camps if forced to make a modern historical ranking: 1. Magnus Carlsen 2. Garry Kasparov 3. Bobby Fischer, while Chess.com's classic historical list reverses the top two to 1. Kasparov 2. Carlsen 3. Fischer.