All 15 world classical champions are genius chess players, but the title “genius” is awarded to only five of them. Here are their names: Garry Kasparov, Mikhail Tal, Jose Raul Capablanca, Robert Fischer, Alexander Alekhine.
JOSE RAUL CAPABLANCA
Raul was born in 1988 in Cuba. Already at the age of four he learned to play chess, and at the age of 13 he became the champion of Cuba. In 1909, Raul defeated the US champion Marshall, and later became the European champion.
In 1921, Raoul defeated the world champion Em. Lasker, and became the chess king. From 1920 to 1930, Capablanca won many major competitions and countless prizes.
In 1927 he lost the world championship to Alexander Alekhine. Subsequently, Raul continued to perform for more than 10 years, but never decided on a rematch with Alekhine.
Jose Raul Capablanca is considered an unsurpassed genius of positional play. Raoul practiced chess theory little, which ultimately affected the outcome of his career.
ALEXANDER ALEKHIN
Alexander was born in 1892 in Russia. The only chess king in the world who died undefeated.
People first started talking about Alekhine when he became a contender for the chess crown in 1920. In 1927, he beat Raoul Capablanca to win the title.
After the Second World War, the Alekhine-Botvinnik match was supposed to take place, but the Russian world champion died suddenly. Alekhine had a unique talent for combinations.
MIKHAIL TAL
Mikhail was born in 1936 in the USSR. Just 21 years later he became the champion of the USSR, and 3 years later he won the title of youngest world champion.
“The Wizard from Riga” - this is how he was nicknamed all over the world because he sacrificed pieces to the left and to the right and at the same time was a genius in combination play. Tal remained world champion for only one year. A year later he was beaten by Botvinnik. Since then, Tal has won many competitions and tournaments, but has never been able to rise to the top of the world championship.
Tal was very witty and the most popular grandmaster in history. He could answer any treacherous question with a sense of humor and for this he was loved throughout the planet.
ROBERT FISCHER
Robert Fisher was born in 1943 in the USA. At the age of 14 he became the US champion, and a year later he won the title of international grandmaster and became a contender for the chess crown.
Many experts consider Robert to be a mentally unstable loner. Robert placed chess pieces on the board so skillfully that there were rumors about him that he played like a robot, not a person. Fischer began his enchanting career in 1970 when he defeated his opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals with a score of 6-0. The final match ended in victory over Spassky.
Three years later, Robert demanded that FIDE fulfill 63 conditions in order to sit down at the table and defend the title of world champion. FIDE fulfilled 62 conditions, and Robert voluntarily renounced the world champion title. Kasparov received the title of world champion without making a single move.
GARRY KASPAROV
Harry was born in 1963 in the USSR. Kasparov is the only chess king who fought for the title of world champion not only on the chessboard, but also with the authorities in the USSR, who believed that they already had one champion and did not need a second one.
In 1984, the famous Kasparov-Karpov duel began, which lasted 5 months. The fight was stopped by the FIDE President without announcing the winner. In 1985, in a repeat fight, Kasparov won and became the 13th world champion. In 1990, Kasparov once again defeated Karpov, and thereby stopped the famous confrontation between two geniuses. For 10 years, Kasparov was the world leader on the chess Olympus, until he lost to Kramnik in 2000.
Good day, dear friend!
The strongest is always in sight. Everyone wants to know about him, imitate his manners, style of behavior, and methods of preparation. World chess champions not an exception. In today's article we will remember who has held this title over the past 130 years.
If you want to follow the path of a champion, you have a lot of work ahead of you. But we can and should start with special training programs for chess players.
Why are there 16 champions?
At the end of 2016 Magnus Carlsen defended his title of chess champion in a difficult match with Sergey Karjakin. Carlsen is considered the 16th world champion in the chess world.
And now about those fifteen outstanding chess players who were his predecessors.
It should be said that the period 1993 to 2006. in the chess world it is usually called “times of troubles”. At this time, the title existed in two versions - FIDE and PSA. In addition, the champion title during this period was played out not in matches, but in a tournament format. The winner of the tournament with the participation of candidates received the title of world champion.
Nobody belittles the significance of victory in the fight for the championship.However, the value of a championship during this period of time is somewhat lower than the title won match . This is not the author's opinion, but an assessment of the chess world.
It is believed that there are 16 recognized champions in classical chess. These are the champions who won the title in a full official match. Let's talk about them in more detail. Who was champion in the 19th and 20th centuries, and who became champion literally today, at the end 2016.
All champions
Below is a list of men's champions in chronological order in classical chess. If you prefer details by year and in a more compact form, you are welcome here: table for the entire history.
1 world champion - Wilhelm STEINITZ
Championship period 1886 – 1894. Represented Austria.
Steinitz is the very first champion who has received official status. The title was won as a result of winning the match with Zukertort. Steinitz then defended his title twice. In 1889 in the first match by M. Chigorin and in 1892. - in the second. Between these two matches with the great Russian chess player, Steinitz beat I. Gunsberg.
Lost the title in 1894 in a match with Lasker.
Steinitz, like most chess players of the 19th century, was a supporter of combination play. However, his approach already clearly showed a strategic approach to the game and the match as a whole. In particular, Steinitz knew how to save his strength for the finishing push and often outplayed his opponent at the end of the match.
Last game of the championship title match against Zukertort
Steinitz, W — Zukertort, J
World Championship 1st USA (20) 03/29/1886
2 world champion - Emmanuel LASKER
Championship period 1894 - 1921. Represented Austria.
Second world champion. He holds the record for longest championship - 27 years.
After the victory over Steinitz in 1894. sat on the throne until 1921, when he lost the match to Capablanca.
Lasker is a chess player of a universal style. He had excellent positional sense and was especially strong in the endgame. Perhaps the first of the great chess players, he attached great importance psychological aspects games. In addition to chess, he achieved fame as a mathematician.
“Championship” game of the match for the champion title against Steinitz
Lasker,E — Steinitz,W
World Championship 5th USA/CAN (19) 05/26/1894
3 world champion - Jose Raul CAPABLANCA
Championship period 1921 – 1927. Country: Cuba
Capablanca was a chess prodigy. Already in childhood he began to show quite masterful results. In 1911 “threw down the gauntlet” to Lasker” in order to take the champion title from him. The match, however, took place only in 1921. In Havana. As expected, Capablanca confidently defeated the fading champion.
Capablanca had the fame of a “chess machine.” His playing style was distinguished by filigree technique and precise calculation of options. Capablanca was a proponent of the "death draw" theory of chess, believing that if played correctly, games should end in a draw.
In this he was wrong, as the subsequent history of the development of chess showed. More and more layers were opening up in chess. There truly is no limit to imagination, creativity, and the psychology of influence.
In 1927 A historic match took place with Alexander Alekhine. Contrary to expectations of Capablanca's victory, Alekhine won the match.
The confrontation between the great chess players lasted another twenty years. But they failed to meet in the world championship match.
Winning game of the title match against Lasker:
Lasker,E - Capablanca,J
World Championship 12th Havana (14) 04/20/1921
4 world champion - Alexander ALEKHIN
The period of “reign” 1927 - 1935, then 1937 - 1946. Represented Russia and France.
First Russian world champion.
Alekhine was born in Russia. After various dramatic events of the First World War and the proletarian revolution, in 1921, already one of the leading chess players in the world, he finally left his homeland and settled in France.
In 1927 in the match for the world championship he defeated H.R. Capablanca. In 1935 briefly lost the title to Max Euwe. Then he took revenge. The only champion who passed away with the title of world champion.
Alekhine is a chess player of versatile talent. Analyst, researcher, writer. And of course a player of exceptional practical strength. Considered one of the strongest world champions of all time.
Final game of the championship match against Capablanca
Alekhine,A - Capablanca,J
World Championship 13th Buenos-Aires (34) 11/26/1927
5 world champion - Max EUWE
Championship period 1935 - 1937. Represented Holland.
The victory over Alekhine in the match was perceived as a sensation. Even Euwe’s compatriots did not expect this, not to mention Alekhine himself, who easily agreed to play on the “opponent’s field.” No matter what they say, Euwe’s victory was deserved and won in a fair fight.
Max Euwe was an intelligent and versatile person in life. He taught mathematics and had the title of professor. Later he served as the head of FIDE.
The turning point in the match with Alekhine for the championship title:
Alekhine,A — Euwe,M
World Championship 16th NLD (25) 12/01/1935
6 world champion - Mikhail BOTVINNIK
Championship periods: 1948 - 1957, then from 1958 to 1960, then from 1961 to 1963. Country - USSR.
The very first world champion from the USSR.
Mikhail Botvinnik learned chess at the age of twelve. Nevertheless, perseverance, perseverance and a “scientific” approach to chess did their job - by the age of 30, Botvinnik had risen to a leading position in Soviet and world chess.
Everyone was looking forward to the championship match with Alexander Alekhine. But the war got in the way. After the death of Alekhine in 1948, a world championship match tournament was held, which brought a landslide victory for Botvinnik.
The only champion who twice regained the title of champion, defeating Mikhail Tal and Vasily Smyslov in rematches.
Botvinnik was distinguished by the thoroughness of his preparation, taking into account the psychological characteristics of his opponent, and a real champion’s character.
The game in the match against Bronstein, in which Botvinnik equalized the score and retained the “crown”
Botvinnik,M — Bronstein,D
World Championship 19th Moscow (23) 05/08/1951
7 world champion - Vasily SMYSLOV
World champion in 1957 - 1958 Country: USSR
Vasily Smyslov is a brilliant chess theorist and an outstanding practitioner. As a member of the USSR team, he won the Chess Olympiads ten times.
In 1957 won the qualifying round and got the opportunity to play a match with the world champion. The match with M. Botvinnik ended in victory for Smyslov. About a year later, Mikhail Botvinnik convincingly took revenge.
Decisive winning game in the match against Botvinnik
Smyslov,V — Botvinnik,M
World Championship 21th Moscow (20) 04/23/1957
8 world champion - Mikhail TAL
World champion in 1960 – 1961 USSR
Tal defeated Mikhail Botvinnik in the championship match at the age of 23. This is a record for that time.
Tal professed an attacking, combinational style of play. He did not take into account the victims on the altar of the attack. This manner greatly impressed the audience. Mikhail Tal, without exaggeration, was everyone's favorite.
The Almighty generously gifted Tal with talent. But it didn’t give me any health at all. Diseases became Mikhail Nekhemievich’s usual companion in Everyday life. And the sports mode was not something sacred for him.
Nevertheless, Tal’s enormous talent and accumulated experience allowed him to be one of the leading chess players in the world until his last days.
Decisive game in the title match against Botvinnik
Tal,M — Botvinnik,M
World Championship 23rd Moscow (19) 05/03/1960
9 world champion - Tigran PETROSYAN
Championship period 1963 – 1969. USSR
Tigran Vartanovich Petrosyan won the right to challenge the championship title in 1962, when he won the Candidates Tournament. The duel with M. Botvinnik took place in 1963. brought victory to Petrosyan. Three years later he defended his title in a match with Boris Spassky. And yet, three years later, in 1969. lost the title to the latter.
Tigran Petrosyan was an outstanding defender and master of positional play. With incredible ingenuity, he defended difficult positions, launching a counterattack at the first opportunity. Petrosyan's tactical vigilance was also excellent.
Petrosyan is an outstanding theorist who generously shared his skills with young chess players. He carried out social work and was the editor-in-chief of “64” magazine. Candidate philosophical sciences.
Winning game in the title match against Botvinnik:
Petrosian,T — Botvinnik,M
World Championship 25th Moscow (19) 05/11/1963
10th world champion - Boris SPASSKY
World champion in the period 1969 – 1972. Country: USSR, France
Boris Spassky back in 1955 won the world championship among youths. It took another fourteen long years to reach adult triumph. This day came in 1969. field of victory in the match over Petrosyan The second match in a row.
In 1972, the infamous match with Robert Fischer took place in which Boris Vasilyevich lost the crown to the outstanding American grandmaster.
Spassky is one of the most versatile chess players in best years he had no weaknesses and was incredibly difficult to defeat.
In the early eighties he moved to France. But he doesn’t lose touch with his homeland, he visits Russia and helps young chess players. There are several chess schools under the patronage of Spassky.
Winning game in the match against Petrosyan
Spassky,B — Petrosian,T
World Championship 27th Moscow (21) 06/11/1969
11th world champion - Robert FISCHER
Championship period 1972 - 1975 US Citizenship
Robert Fischer devoted himself entirely to chess. I even dropped out of school. At the age of fifteen he is already a grandmaster. The youngest in history at that time.
In America there was no state program for the development of chess and in this regard Fischer had a difficult time. This is a man who made himself a world champion entirely on his own. Talent, efficiency, and exceptional dedication to chess are the hallmarks of Robert Fischer.
Fischer has achieved exceptional playing power and is one of the strongest champions.
He won the champion title in 1972, defeating all the contenders in the qualifying matches: Larsen, Taimanov (both dry -6:0!), Petrosyan. In the match for the title, he defeated Boris Spassky without any visible effort.
Oddly enough, the final game of the match with Spassky turned out to be the last in Fischer's official career. He refused the match with Karpov, despite lengthy negotiations. Fischer never played another game in official tournaments. This is one of the biggest mysteries in chess history, still unsolved today.
Final game of the match with Spassky:
Spassky,B — Fischer,R
World Championship 28th Reykjavik (21) 08/31/1972
12th world champion - Anatoly KARPOV
Period of “reign” 1975 – 1985. Country: USSR/Russia
Anatoly Karpov returned the championship title to our country. And although the match with Fischer did not take place, Karpov’s championship is not objectively questioned. At that time, he was the strongest grandmaster (not counting Fischer), who confidently won the qualifying round.
In the early 80s, the era of confrontation between Karpov and Kasparov began, who played several protracted matches between them. The last of them, in 1985, ended with the victory of Garry Kasparov.
Karpov is distinguished by his outstanding skill in positional maneuvering and pragmatic attitude to the game. In terms of the number of tournaments won, Anatoly Karpov is far superior to everyone else.
Anatoly Evgenievich is still in the ranks, periodically participating in major tournaments with success.
The famous winning game against Viktor Korchnoi with the score 5:5
Karpov,A - Kortschnoj,V
World Championship 29th Baguio City (32) 10/17/1978
13th world champion - Garry KASPAROV
World champion from 1985 to 2000. USSR/Russia
Garry Kasparov's star quickly rose on the chess horizon by the early 1980s.
In 1981, he became the youngest national champion. Then the era of confrontation with Karpov began. In 1985 Harry finally tried on the champion's crown.
For about 20 years, Kasparov had the highest rating among chess players, reaching 2850 points. The figure was astronomical for those times.
Kasparov’s independence of views also played a role in the emergence of disagreements with FIDE. As a result, Kasparov organized an alternative organization - PSA.
In recent years, Garry Kimovich has retreated from active chess.
Kasparov is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding chess players. He is distinguished by an active, even aggressive style of play, excellent opening preparation, and accurate calculation of options.
The winning game in the match against Karpov in 1985.
Karpov, A — Kasparov, G
World Championship 32th-KK2 Moscow (24) 09.11.1985
14th world champion - Vladimir KRAMNIK
World champion in the period 2000 – 2007. Represents Russia.
In 2006 Vladimir Kramnik won the match against Veselin Topalov and became the 14th world champion. This was not a surprise. Before competing for the top title, Kramnik won the world junior championships twice and became the PSA world champion. Thus both titles were combined.
About a year later, Kramnik lost the championship title to Anand.
Vladimir Kramnik's playing style is reminiscent of Karpov's. A chess player of exceptional strength, Kramnik is still among the elite of world chess today, consistently occupying a place in the top five.
Decisive game against Kasparov for the title of PCA champion
Kramnik,V — Kasparov,G
BGN World Chess Championship London (10) 10/24/2000
15th world champion - Viswanathan ANAND
Championship period 2007 – 2013 Country: India
First international grandmaster in India.
Vishy Anand became a world champion by winning the championship tournament in Mexico City in 2007.
Then he successfully defended his title three times. The 15th world champion is distinguished by exceptionally fast thinking and is a recognized master of rapid chess and blitz.
Known in chess as a true gentleman. Anand's attractive image combines the charm of Jose Ruhl Capablanca, the will to win of Botvinnik, and the energy and talent of Kasparov.
He resigned as world champion in 2013, losing a match to Carlsen.
Decisive game of the match against Kramnik:
Anand,V — Kramnik,V
WCh Bonn GER (6) 10/21/2008
16th world champion - Magnus CARLsen
World champion from 2013 to present. Norway
Magnus Carlsen is, without exaggeration, a chess prodigy. He became a grandmaster at the age of 13, breaking all imaginable records.
Magnus became the world champion in 2013, defeating Anand in a match. Has the highest rating in the history of chess.
Just recently, at the end 2016defended his title in a match against Sergey Karjakin. Contrary to expectations, the match was difficult for the champion. Karjakin was at his best. According to other estimates, Carlsen was not in the best shape. One way or another, Magnus won only in a tiebreaker.
Magnus Carlsen is a public person. Travels a lot, plays sports, acts in commercials. I think we will be hearing his name for a long time. Both in connection with chess and beyond it.
Last winning game against Anand in the 2013 championship match
Anand-Carlsen World Championship (9)
And a few more words about the champions
In conclusion, I will say that the titles of world chess champions exist, of course, not only among men and in classical chess. I think it’s unnecessary to overload the article, I’ll just list:
Women's World Champion: Hou Yifan, China
World blitz champion 2017: Sergey Karyakin, Russia
“Tournament” world champions during the period of “turmoil” 1993-2006. - in this table at the end.
We will discuss these topics in more detail in the following articles.
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Fans often argue about who is the strongest player - but this time we will try to create a ranking the most dangerous killers at the chessboard.
Magnus Carlsen, may be the greatest chess player in history, but his play is characterized by calmness and unfailing precision.
Who were those fierce chess players who could sweep their opponents off the board? These dangerous duelists also acted very accurately, adding an oppressive sense of danger to the ferocity of the chess battle.
Here are five of the most formidable chess players of all time and their most signature games.
Share with us in the comments which chess players you would choose.
5. Mikhail Tal
Mikhail Tal
In the next game, Tal not only attacks the enemy king, but also destroys the entire kingside, leaving the unfortunate enemy king without any cover for his pieces or pawns, destroyed by Tal's heavy pieces.
This is what happened to those who challenged Tal in his hometown of Riga.
4. Paul Morphy
Paul Morphy
Playing Morphy games in 2018 is like watching a time traveler dispatch troglodytes with modern weapons. His simple yet ruthless attacking style makes you understand the purpose of every move, and the outcome is not only compelling, but beautiful.
In the next game, Morphy needed only 19 moves to defeat Adolf Andersen, one of the best chess players of his time. In the final position, the black rooks look like helpless witnesses to the assassination of the monarch.
3. Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov
Kasparov is one of the strongest chess players in history (including Carlsen, Fischer and Kasparov), so it is not surprising that he is also one of the most dangerous.
Kasparov, in his heyday, was probably the most feared opponent on the board. Good example- a beating he gave to Vladimir Kramnik, the future world champion, who is also one of the strongest opponents in the world.
In this game, Kasparov put his knight under attack, then gave up his queen, immediately put up a new one, and finally took Kramnik’s queen. How many of you would calmly move the h-pawn one square when the enemy has just attacked your most valuable piece?
2. Bobby Fischer
Bobby Fischer
Fischer needs no introduction as he is known to everyone as one of the greatest athletes not only in the history of chess, but in any competitive sport in general.
He had a manic mind and the strongest will in the history of chess, so he was absolutely ruthless at the board. Cautious Tigran Petrosyan chose the strong defense of Caro-Kann, hoping to achieve a draw. It would have been guaranteed to him - if his opponent's name was not Fischer.
Petrosian made one small mistake, taking a flank pawn, and Fischer made him pay the maximum price for it, throwing a mating net over the former world champion's king and forcing him to capitulate after just three moves.
1. AlphaZero
AlphaZero
Those who know how I learned chess could guess which “player” I would put on the first line of this list.
AlphaZero deservedly occupies it. The victims of other chess players at least knew they were losing.
With AlphaZero it's different. Its understanding of chess and ruthless, intuitive attacking style give this program such an edge over its opponents that they don't even realize when their position is already hopeless. See how the second most powerful computer program was quite happy with its position - until the very moment when it completely collapsed.
I consider the next game to be the best in the history of chess.
Who do you think is the most dangerous player in history?chess? Let me know in the comments if you are determined enough.
Over time, a lot has changed in chess, even the rules of the game. Therefore, it is not surprising that the conditions for the formation world chess champion were different in different centuries. During Steinitz’s time, there were situations where the world championship match was held in three cities at once. It’s just that Zukertort (Steinitz’s first opponent in the championship match) was not happy with a certain city, so it was necessary to make concessions.
Now, in our time, conditions have changed in many ways. Various qualifying stages are held, and the two strongest meet and sort things out. This is not like before, as in the time of Chigorin, the strongest chess player could calmly refuse to accept a challenge for a match, because in his opinion, the opponent was weak and not yet experienced enough to become a world champion.
Well, now let's take a closer look at the biography of each chess player.
(1868 - 1941). Born in Poland. He became the world champion in 1894 after winning a match over V. Steinitz. He held the chess crown for 27 years. Author of a number of books on chess and game theory. Doctor of Mathematics and Philosophy.
(1888 - 1942). Outstanding Cuban chess player. Third world champion. He won this title by winning a match in 1921 against Em. Lasker. He was distinguished by his virtuoso chess technique. During the years of his greatest prosperity they spoke of him as a chess machine.
(1892 - 1946). A brilliant Russian chess player. World champion from 1927 to 1935 and from 1937 until the end of his life. The greatest master of combination, a true artist, for whom chess was an art. Doctor of Law. Everyone also remembered him for his actions.
(1901 - 1981). Born in 1901 in Amsterdam. Having won the match against Alekhine in 1935, he became the fifth world champion. Two years later, in a rematch, he lost this title to Alekhine. FIDE President. Doctor of Mathematics.
(1911 - 1995). Born in 1911 in Leningrad. The first Soviet world champion. He won the chess crown in 1948, emerging as the winner of a match-tournament of the strongest grandmasters in the world. He held the championship title with two short breaks until 1963. Professor, Doctor of Technical Sciences.
(1921 - 2010). Born in 1921 in Moscow. Seventh world champion. He met M. Botvinnik three times in the match for the chess crown. In 1957 he won and won the title of the strongest chess player on the planet. A year later he lost a rematch. Journalist.
(1936 - 1992). Born in 1936 in Riga. The youngest world champion in chess history. He won this title at the age of 23, winning a match against M. Botvinnik in 1960. A year later he lost a rematch. Journalist.
(1929 - 1984). Born in 1929 in Tbilisi. In 1963 he defeated M. Botvinnik and became the ninth world champion. He held the chess crown for six years. Candidate of Philosophical Sciences. Chief Editor newspapers "64".
Born in 1937 in Leningrad. At the age of 18 he became the world champion among youths. In 1969, having won a match with T. Petrosyan, he won the title of the strongest chess player in the world and held it until 1972. Journalist.
(1943 - 2008). Born in 1943 in Chicago. At the age of 15 he received the title of international grandmaster. Repeated US champion. In 1972, having defeated B. Spassky in the match, he became the eleventh world champion.
Born in Baku on April 13, 1963. From the age of 10, Kasparov was trained by master Nikitin. At the age of 12 he became the champion of the USSR among youths. On November 10, 1985, Kasparov won the match against Karpov (it was a very long match, which began on September 10, 1984, but was then interrupted), and became the youngest world chess champion.
Born on June 25, 1975 in the Krasnodar region in the city of Tuapse. At 16 and 18 years old he won the World Junior Championships. International Grandmaster. In 2000 he became the world champion, winning against Kasparov, in 2004 against Leko, and then in 2006 against Topalov. Married, has a daughter Dasha.
Full
Born on December 11, 1969 in India in the city of Madras. Anand began playing chess at the age of 6, and oddly enough, his first teacher was his mother. At the age of 14, Anand had already won the Indian Youth Championship, and at the age of 16 he became the Indian champion. After winning the World Junior Championship, Anand became India's first international grandmaster. After this remarkable victory, chess became popular again in India.
More complete.
Norwegian grandmaster, who currently has the highest rating in the world in the history of chess. On November 22, he became the new world champion, defeating Viswanathan Anand in a match held in India with a score of 6.5-3.5.
More detailed.
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