Top 10 Best Chess Players

If all he had to do was play chess, his placement at the top of the list would be unquestioned. Imagine how many brilliancies he would have demonstrated if he had continued competitive chess at the top level for the rest of his career. His contributions to our understanding of the game would have been immense. Fischer's issues away from the board are a tragedy for the chess world and an embarrassment to his legacy, but don't let them distract you from his undeniable, overwhelming ability to win chess games.

While I have immense respect for Fischer and Morphy as players, my vote goes to Kasparov. He was not only a dominant force in chess for 30 years, but he has also continued to grow interest in chess after his retirement. Kasparov has balanced his brilliance in chess with other aspects of his life. His opposition to Putin makes him one of my personal heroes, regardless of his chess skills.

He edged out a victory over Karpov by the slimmest of margins for the WCC. He was young, and Karpov was older and perhaps had lost some of his youthful energy.

I agree with those who say that his style is a cross between Capablanca and Fischer. I think it is unfortunate that he refused to defend his championship title.

Actually, Magnus did win the FIDE World Cup and is first at the moment. He has the highest rating ever, so go Magnus!

Magnus Carlsen is the best chess player. He is ranked number one.

People keep trying all kinds of wild shots, hoping for success. This applies not just to chess but to life in general (I'm guilty of this too). It doesn't matter how good the shots you throw are or how great the tactics you use. In life, if you strive for absolute zen-like perfection, everything should take only one shot. Capablanca understood this, which is why he could outdo and outmaneuver everyone's best attempts against his positions.

One attack after another, he reassembled into ever simpler positions. He understood chess as merely a matter of where the pieces ought to be.

Ahead of his time without any real teaching. If he were born today, his godly talent would reform the game (as he did in his 3-year career) and decimate the top tournaments, even against computers!

This fellow was too gifted for normal life. What he wanted deep inside...

Great chess players come and go, but to have a chess player like Morphy who shocked chess with his skill and talent, the way he saw the board and how the pieces worked together, the energy inside each piece. His legacy will be talked about for many years to come!

Karpov played exceptional chess in the years following Fischer's refusal to play. His games are true works of art, similar to Capablanca's games.

Bobby Fischer was brilliant, but come on. Karpov at his prime vs. Fischer at his prime is a blowout. Karpov's positional understanding would overwhelm Fischer.

I like Tal more, but honestly, Karpov is a genius, and it is impossible to compare any player to him in his prime.

This list needs more attention, and this man as well. He deserves to be in the top 10. A tactical combinatorial genius who enjoyed a beautiful yet brilliant king hunt in every game he played.

He's my favorite chess player because of his attacking style. So wild, but his tactics are meaningful.

I can't even fully describe how different, amazing, and weird his style was.

Most influential player of all time, hero of the third world. A pioneer of sorts and the one who ended Russian domination. His longevity makes him the GOAT.

My paternal grandfather and I love his tricks. My grandfather always plays on my tablet at the highest levels and wins against the tablet.

A great chess player who has inspired an entire nation. He probably has more fans than any other player.

Botvinnik won a lot of games with tricky but not terribly deep tactics.

A worthy candidate for being world champion. Sadly, he is not. Yet he will still remain one of the most eccentric and brilliant players out there.

Vassily Ivanchuk is amazing. He defeated Kasparov, Karpov, and Carlsen, and he always plays amazing games.

The only man Kasparov ever feared!

AKA the Estonian powerhouse. Quite the positional player, with deadly counterattacking abilities. He doesn't let aggressive tactical players breathe in the slightest!