Top 10 Most Famous Chess Players In The World

In the rich chess history, we find legends, world champions, challengers, and grandmasters who have left an indelible mark on the game we hold dear. Their strategic brilliance and tactical finesse continue to captivate, offering both delight and invaluable lessons in the art of chess. Among the chess community, it's customary to engage in spirited debates about the finest players in history.

Yet, this discourse inevitably leads to the ultimate query: Who truly stands as the pinnacle, the unrivaled best of all time? It's a question that fuels passionate discussions and stirs the imagination of chess enthusiasts worldwide. Each player's unique style, achievements, and contributions to the game weave a complex narrative, making the quest for the greatest in chess an ongoing and endlessly fascinating pursuit.

Most Famous Chess Players in the World

• Garry Kasparov
• Magnus Carlsen
• Bobby Fischer
• Viswanathan Anand
• Anatoly Karpov
• Vladimir Kramnik
• Fabiano Caruana
• Hikaru Nakamura
• Wesley So
• Levon Aronian

1. Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov, a grandmaster, held the esteemed title of the 13th world champion from 1985 to 2000, marking an unprecedented era of dominance. He ascended to the number-one ranking in 1984 and maintained this position with only minor interruptions until 2006, solidifying his reign for over two decades.

On March 3, 2000, Kasparov achieved an extraordinary peak rating of 2856, a record unbroken until Carlsen's surpassing. In 1985, he made history by defeating Karpov to become the youngest world champion at around 22 and a half years old. Kasparov defended his title against Karpov in consecutive matches from 1986 to 1990.

In 1993, he diverged from FIDE, initiating the PCA and resulting in a division in world championships until the reunification match in 2006. Kasparov successfully defended his title twice more, triumphing over GM Nigel Short in 1993 and Anand in 1995—joining Lasker as the only champions to achieve this feat five times.

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Though Kramnik ended his reign as world champion in 2000, Kasparov's brilliance endured, securing victories in tournaments until his retirement in 2005, maintaining his position as the world's top player.

Post-retirement, Kasparov has remained an influential figure in chess. He's engaged in exhibition matches, mentored talents like Carlsen and GM Hikaru Nakamura, and authored the acclaimed five-volume series My Great Predecessors, hailed as one of the finest chess literature collections.

2. Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen was born in November 30, 1990 (currently 32 years old) at Tønsberg, Norway

Widely regarded as the finest player in the history of chess, GM Magnus Carlsen stands alongside the esteemed GMs Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer in discussions of unparalleled talent. Notably, Carlsen ascended to the pinnacle of the sport before reaching the age of 30, a feat he has sustained well into his 30s.

At just 13 years old, the Norwegian prodigy held his own against Kasparov and triumphed over GM Anatoly Karpov in a remarkable event in 2004. Merely a month later, he became the second-youngest Grandmaster in history, a distinction he maintains to this day, ranking eighth in the world for youthful accomplishments.

In 2009, Carlsen shattered records by becoming the youngest player to breach the 2800-rating milestone, a feat only surpassed by GM Alireza Firouzja in 2021. His progression from a youthful world-class player to an enduring legend was evident when he claimed the world number-one ranking in 2011, a title he retains as of May 2023. Carlsen secured the world championship in 2013 and has triumphantly defended it on four occasions (in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021). His illustrious career also includes multiple world titles in rapid and blitz formats, achieving the highest rating ever recorded, and amassing numerous victories in elite tournaments, including four at Norway Chess and seven at Wijk aan Zee.

What's truly astounding is that Carlsen's journey appears far from its conclusion. In October 2020, his formidable 125-game undefeated streak concluded (with 42 wins and 83 draws during this stretch), marking yet another world record. If he continues to perform at this remarkable pace, Carlsen has the potential to forge a legacy that transcends mere legend.

3. Bobby Fischer

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Bobby Fischer made a profound impact on how we perceive and approach chess. In the midst of the Cold War, a political undercurrent ran through the chess world.

At a time when formidable Russian Super GMs, led by Spassky, held sway over the game, Fischer emerged as the American contender, rallying the support of his home country.

Though his reign as World Champion was not the longest, Fischer's dominance during his prime was undeniable. He attained a celebrity status, amplified by the cultural tensions between the US and Russia.

Beyond his cultural and political significance, Fischer's legacy today rests on his exceptional calculating prowess and his unwavering pursuit of victory in any position.

When Fischer set his sights on victory, he seemed to conjure wins seemingly from thin air, whether from well-known openings or balanced endgames. His ability to clinch victories was a testament to his exceptional skill.

4. Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand, born on December 11, 1969, in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India, is widely regarded as the greatest chess player in Indian history. He is the 15th undisputed chess champion. Known for his swift style of play in his early years, Anand contended for the classical championship in 1995.

He held the title of FIDE champion from 2000 to 2002, and later reclaimed the unified title in 2007. Anand maintained this prestigious position for six years until 2013, showcasing a remarkable post-championship career, a testament to his enduring prowess in a field where many other top players have retired.

5. Anatoly Karpov

Anatoly Karpov, holding the titles of Grandmaster (GM) since 1970 and International Master (IM) since 1969, was born in 1951 and represents Russia.

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His world rankings stand at 203, with ratings of 2583 in Rapid, 2627 in Blitz, and 2617 in Classical (Std) chess.

Remarkably, Karpov embarked on his chess journey at a tender age of four, achieving the status of Candidate Master by the age of eleven. He was admitted into Mikhail Botvinnik’s esteemed chess academy at the age of twelve. Karpov's prowess was further solidified when he secured fourth place in Caracas in 1970, leading to his promotion to International Grandmaster.

In 1975, Karpov faced off against World Champion Robert James Fischer in the historic Karpov-Fischer World Championship Match, a battle of titans in the chess world.

Karpov made history by becoming the 12th World Chess Champion, following FIDE's ruling that Fischer had forfeited in 1975, making him the youngest World Chess Champion of that era. In 1994, he clinched victory at the Linares tournament, outperforming Kasparov by 2.5 points, achieving an impressive tournament performance rating of 2985. Notably, in May 1974, Karpov's rating stood at 2700, a feat that placed him as the second player (after Fischer) to reach this milestone during that period.

6. Vladimir Kramnik

Vladimir Kramnik, a distinguished chess player from Russia, was born in 1975. His world rankings stand at 18, with ratings of 2756 in Rapid, 2712 in Blitz, and 2753 in Classical (Std) chess.

Kramnik's early years were shaped under the mentorship of Mikhail Botvinnik, the esteemed founder of the Soviet chess system.

From 2000 to 2006, he held the title of undisputed World Champion, culminating in his victory over Veselin Topalov in 2006, solidifying his status as the 14th unquestioned champion. Kramnik's triumph in 2000 over Garry Kasparov united all major titles under his reign. This distinguished title was subsequently passed on to Viswanathan Anand in 2007, who now holds the position of the 15th undisputed World Champion.

In the category 21 Gashimov Memorial in April 2017, Kramnik secured a commendable second place finish on tiebreaks, closely trailing behind Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, with a score of 5/9. This performance placed him ahead of Wesley So and Veselin Topalov in the competition.

7. Fabiano Caruana

Fabiano Caruana is an Italian-American chess player currently holding the second position in the world rankings. He achieved the grandmaster title at the impressive age of 14, back in 2007.

Until 2005, Caruana represented the United States in chess competitions. However, he later transitioned to representing Italy. In 2007, he secured his first victory in the Italian Chess Championship, a feat he repeated in 2008, 2010, and 2011, further solidifying his prowess in the game.

8. Hikaru Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura, born on December 9, 1987, in Hirakata, Japan, is a prominent American chess grandmaster, recognized as one of the world's elite players. He began his journey in chess at a young age, showcasing a distinctive playing style characterized by aggression and tactical prowess, particularly excelling in blitz and rapid formats. Nakamura's career is adorned with victories in prestigious tournaments such as the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, the Gibraltar Chess Festival, and the Paris Grand Chess Tour.

Furthermore, Nakamura has been a stalwart representative of the United States in numerous Chess Olympiads, contributing significantly to the team's gold medal triumph in 2016. Beyond his playing accomplishments, Nakamura has garnered a substantial following through his engaging Twitch stream, where he shares chess insights and interacts with his devoted fan base.

9. Wesley So

Wesley So, born on October 9, 1993, is currently 29 years old. He was born in Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines, and now represents the United States in international chess competitions.

Wesley So, considered one of the top 10 chess players globally, is a Filipino-American chess grandmaster. He holds the title of World Fisher Random Chess Champion and has earned the prestigious U.S. Chess Champion title twice, in 2017 and 2020. Remarkably, he stands as the fifth-highest-rated player in the history of world rankings.

So boasts an impressive FIDE record of 2772 and has achieved a peak rating of 2822. He is a gold medalist in the 2013 Kazan Men’s Individual event and secured a silver medal in the 2010 Guangzhou Men’s Team Standard competition. These accomplishments underline his exceptional skill and success in the world of competitive chess.

10. Levon Aronian

Levon Aronian, born on October 6, 1982, in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union, is a distinguished Armenian-American super grandmaster. He has consistently ranked among the world's best players, maintaining a position in the top 20 since 2005, with the majority of those years spent in the top 10. In 2021, he transitioned his federation affiliation from Armenia to the United States.

Aronian's style of play exemplifies steady and elite-level chess, with a remarkable track record. From November 2010 to September 2014, he held a position in the top three players globally. In March 2014, his rating soared to a peak of 2830, establishing him as the fourth-highest rated player in history, surpassed only by Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, and Fabiano Caruana.

His extensive list of accomplishments includes world championships in Fischer random chess, blitz, and rapid formats, numerous gold team medals for the Armenian national team, an individual Armenian national title, two Chess World Cup victories, and much more.