Who's the Greatest World Champion of All Time?
It's been almost three months since Ding Liren defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi in one of the most nail-biting WCC matches to date. This match came into fruition after Magnus Carlsen had announced back in 2022 that he would not defend his title in the upcoming Championship, triggering a seldom-used FIDE rule that allowed the Candidates winner and runner-up to battle it out instead for the title of World Champion.
Following Magnus Carlsen's abdication of the WCC title, several chess aficionados believed that the ex-World Champion had secured his legacy as the greatest chess player in history. But that got me thinking. Was Magnus Carlsen actually deserving of the GOAT status? And even if so, how does he stack up against the fifteen World Champions who preceded him or the newly-crowned Ding Liren? This question prompted me to write an interpolation article for my "Which Country is Best at Chess?" blog, but instead of ranking countries based on their chess skill, I'll be ranking all seventeen classical World Chess Champions.
Similarly to my aforementioned blog, I'll be ranking the world champions based on a few criteria:
- Dominance; Years Holding Champion Title: The first criterion I'll be judging is how many years said champion held the title of World Chess Champion. Not only does this reveal how consistent the champion was at defeating their contemporaries, but it also shows how they stacked up against the competition at the time. Whether it's Vasily Smyslov who held the title for a grand total of one year, or Mikhail Botvinnik who held the title for fifteen years after seizing it back from Smyslov and Tal (in 1958 and 1961 respectively), the amount of time a World Champion held onto the throne says a lot about their greatness.
- WCC Match Win Rate: This is an extension of the above criteria. How many times a world champion was able to fight off the competition and maintain their title is living testimony to their greatness, such as in the case of Magnus Carlsen, who went an undefeated 5-0 in FIDE's biennial World Chess Championship before voluntarily conceding his crown in 2022.
- Overall Win Rate: I originally intended for "peak rating" to be a criterion, rather than win rate, but I realized two things. 1: The FIDE rating system wasn't established until the early 1970s, and many world champions never had a published elo rating, so this category wouldn't be applicable to many players; and 2: Rating has changed a lot with the onset of the digital chess age. Computer prep and chess engines have augmented the maximum rating humans have been able to achieve. For example, 2200 elo would've been extremely strong for Steinitz's age since so few players were able to reach that benchmark. Nowadays, a 2200 would be regarded as a "lower-level" master. Thus, I decided that overall win rate would be a more inclusive factor to judge on.
- Overall Impact on Chess: This fourth and final factor is possibly the most important of them all. This category will include any advances each world champion made in the field of chess; their legacy, any books or magazines they authored, openings they revolutionized, chess theory they innovated, etc.
Below I've included a list of the seventeen classical world chess champions just for reference, or in case you wanted to skip ahead and see where I placed a certain player.
- Wilhelm Steinitz
- Emanuel Lasker
- Jose Raul Capablanca
- Alexander Alekhine
- Max Euwe
- Mikhail Botvinnik
- Vasily Smyslov
- Mikhail Tal
- Tigran Petrosian
- Boris Spassky
- Bobby Fischer
- Anatoly Karpov
- Garry Kasparov
- Vladimir Kramnik
- Viswanathan Anand
- Magnus Carlsen
- Ding Liren
Peak Rating: 2816
Years Holding Title: 2023-present
Win/Draw Rate: 32.98% wins; 50.12% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 100% (1-0)
At the 17th spot, the place of the alleged "worst world champion," I have the freshly-coronated Ding Liren. And before you go and flame me in the comments, Ding is at the bottom of the ranking not because he's objectively the worst player on this list, but because his legacy is not as concrete as that of the other champions. As the newest entry to this list of all-time chess legends, Ding's impact on chess is still relatively unknown. Does he have the potential to hold the championship title for the next decade and possibly outshine all the other world champions? Perhaps, but because of how recent his reign as champion began, I can't place him above any of the other world champions.
Peak Rating: 2530
Years Holding Title: 1935-1937
Win/Draw Rate: 47.37% wins; 36.48% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 66.66% (2-1)
Max Euwe is a notable figure in the chess world as he is the only player to both become World Chess Champion and serve as president of FIDE. Moreover, he had quite a prolific career even outside of chess, earning a doctorate in mathematics and teaching as a full-time professor at the University of Rotterdam. Euwe shocked the world in 1935 when he upset the legendary Alexander Alekhine by a single point to spoil the eight-year reign of one of the greatest opening theorists of all time. Although Euwe's run as world champion was cut short when Alekhine reclaimed his title two years later, his chess accolades are nothing but impressive. Not only did Euwe win 12 Dutch National Championships, publish over 70 chess books, and become the Netherlands' first grandmaster, but he also served a successful tenure as FIDE's president, overseeing the Match of the Century in 1972. While Euwe's influence on chess is undeniable, his chess career is lacking the flair that the other world champions have, which prevents me from placing him higher on this list.
Peak Rating: 2620
Years Holding Title: 1957-1958
Win/Draw Rate: 34.51% wins; 54% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 33.33% (1-3)
Vasily Smyslov is one of the more underrated champions. While he ties with Mikhail Tal for the shortest tenure as World Chess Champion, he holds the world record for most Chess Olympiad awards with 17 and remained in world championship contention for nearly four decades, even qualifying for the Candidates as late as the 1980s. While Euwe's run as champion was slightly longer than that of Smyslov, I still have Smyslov ahead of the former because of his prominent chess career and notable contributions to opening theory.
Peak Rating: Unknown
Years Holding Title: 1886-1894
Win/Draw Rate: 56.92% wins; 19.74% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 75% (3-1)
As the first official World Chess Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz set into motion much of the early chess theory that shaped and systemized the game we all know and enjoy today. Steinitz was a dynamic player, capable of rotating between both aggressive and defensive playstyles. In fact, he is widely considered to be the founder of positional chess. Steinitz also technically held the world champion title for the longest (from 1866-1894), although he didn't have an official claim to the title until 1886. While not too much is known about Steinitz's chess career, his legacy is influential enough to obligate me to give him the #14 spot.
Peak Rating: 2690
Years Holding Title: 1969-1972
Win/Draw Rate: 33.19% wins; 57.38% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 33.33% (1-2)
Boris Spassky is most well-known for partaking in the "Match of the Century" against the great Bobby Fischer. Spassky served as the final barricade of the Soviet chess hegemony for Fischer. Despite the unfortunate defeat that culminated in Fischer becoming the first American world champion, Spassky continued to play strong chess for decades afterward. Some of his notable accolades include attaining a peak rating of just ten elo away from 2700, winning two Soviet Championships, and becoming the youngest chess grandmaster (at the time. This was later broken by Bobby Fischer, ironically enough).
Peak Rating: 2645
Years Holding Title: 1963-1969
Win/Draw Rate: 36.87% wins; 55.17% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 66.66% (2-1)
Known for his iconic exchange sacrifices and his defensive prowess, Tigran Petrosian was a four-time Soviet Champion, the ninth World Chess Champion, and the twelfth entry on this list. His methodical playstyle was influenced by the Hypermodern School of chess, to which he contributed by developing the theory of prophylaxis. Petrosian's peak rating was in the mid-2600s, and his win+draw rate totaled an impressive 91%. The "Iron Tigran" was also the one to finally terminate Mikhail Botvinnik's on/off tenure as World Champion. While Petrosian had some highlights in his career, nothing stood out enough for me to rank him higher, so I've placed him about in the middle of the pack.
Peak Rating: 2817
Years Holding Title: 2000-2007
Win/Draw Rate: 35.22% wins; 49.83% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 75% (3-1)
Vladimir Kramnik is one of only four world champions to surpass 2800 elo. Kramnik's crowning achievement was defeating fellow countryman Garry Kasparov in 2000, an opponent who he has historically dominated. In fact, Kramnik has a positive record against Kasparov that he has maintained into the present day. Kramnik had exceptional success in his youth as well, winning the 1991 World U18 Championship and collecting six gold Olympiad medals. While Kramnik was a consistent tournament player for 25 years in his peak, his lackluster win rate and short term as world champion hold him back from cracking my top ten.
Peak Rating: Unknown
Years Holding Title: 1894-1921
Win/Draw Rate: 53.23% wins; 24.18% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 85.71% (6-1)
Emanuel Lasker starts off my Top Ten ranking with a monumental resume. He was World Champion for 27 years, a reign longer than that of any other champion in history. He also ties with Kasparov for the most WCC (World Chess Championship) wins, successfully defending his title six times. This included victories against legends like Frank Marshall and Siegbert Tarrasch. While Lasker's rating (like many of his contemporaries) is unknown, what we do know is that he had a very vibrant chess career and that he continued to play chess at the highest level into his late-60s. This fact alone is almost enough to lock him a spot as one of the greatest players alone. Coupled with the amount of classic chess books and chess theory that he developed, his legacy as a Top 10 player is sealed.
Peak Rating: Unknown
Years Holding Title: 1927-1935, 1937-1946
Win/Draw Rate: 58.41% wins, 26.6% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 80% (4-1)
Alexander Alekhine needs no introduction. A brilliant tactician and theoretician, Alekhine was champion for 17 years and passed away with the title—the only player to do so. Alekhine was also one of the most inventive opening theorists of the 20th century. He contributed to the Hypermodern School of Chess, giving his name to the Alekhine's Defense and several other opening variations. He also authored what are regarded as some of the best chess books of all-time, such as "New York 1927." Although Alekhine's win rate was relatively low for his level, his legacy is timeless and he remains an awe-inspiring figure in the chess world today.
Peak Rating: 2780
Years Holding Title: 1975-1985
Win/Draw Rate: 41.16% wins; 46.18% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 66.66% (2-1)
Anatoly Karpov was the player responsible for dethroning Bobby Fischer, although he won by forfeit when Fischer failed to show up to the match. Karpov's career is one of sheer dominance. He boasts over 160 first-place tournament finishes, arguably the greatest tournament record in history. He was also involved in an exciting rivalry with Garry Kasparov and went head-to-head against him in three separate WCC matches. His crowning achievements include reaching a peak rating of 2780, holding the championship title for a decade, and remaining the #1 player in the world for over 90 months. His placement as the #8 spot is well-deserved.
Peak Rating: 2730
Years Holding Title: 1948-1957, 1958-1960, 1961-1963
Win/Draw Rate: 46.47% wins; 41.33% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 62.50% (5-3)
Mikhail Botvinnik was the start of an almost three-decade-long period of Soviet chess dominance. Botvinnik became world champion three separate times for a total of fifteen years, although there were two brief intermissions when Smyslov, and then Tal, stole the crown from him. Botvinnik is perhaps most well-known for governing a chess school where he taught future Russian legends such as Karpov, Kasparov, and Kramnik. While he was WC, FIDE implemented the "Botvinnik Rule," a rule that allowed a defeated world champion to face his successor in a rematch the following year, something Botvinnik certainly took advantage of. And while the Botvinnik Rule has been slightly adjusted to grant a defeated World Champion a spot in the Candidates instead, Botvinnik's influence on modern chess and the future generation of chess players has been apparent.
Peak Rating: Unknown
Years Holding Title: 1921-1927
Win/Draw Rate: 51.3% wins; 31.97% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 50% (1-1)
Jose Raul Capablanca was one of the most talented players in chess history. No Top-10 list is complete without Capablanca. JRC was a true pioneer of the game, paving the way for future generations. He developed opening theory for my namesake, the Nimzo-Indian, and wrote the classic chess book "Chess Fundamentals." He was also an endgame wizard, and several of his endgame positions are still studied and taught today. However, Capablanca's most impressive feat may be the impeccable tournament record he amassed between 1916 and 1924 of 40-23-0.
Peak Rating: 2705
Years Holding Title: 1960-1961
Win/Draw Rate: 40.44% wins; 48.05% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 50% (1-1)
Having the "Magician of Riga" at the #5 spot is probably my most controversial selection on this list. Most people have Tal in their All-Time Top 10 lists, but having him in the Top 5 is gutsy. Tal doesn't even meet most of the criteria that I laid out in the intro. He ties with Smyslov for the shortest run as WC, won one rocky match against Mikhail Botvinnik, and his win rate was nothing special. Despite these weaknesses in his resume, Tal's astronomical impact on chess almost entirely makes up for this. Tal has one of the most iconic playing styles out of any chess player. He is renowned for his brilliant, attacking, Paul Morphy-esque, sacrificial chess play. In fact, he is widely recognized as the greatest attacking player in history. His collection of games, "Life & Games of Mikhail Tal," is a quintessential chess classic. He also holds the record for the most consecutive wins without a loss, with 95 victories. While a lot of people would disagree with Tal being placed this high, I firmly believe he's a Top 5 World Champion.
Peak Rating: 2817
Years Holding Title: 2007-2013
Win/Draw Rate: 35.38% wins; 50.29% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 55.56% (5-4)
At #4, I have the "Tiger of Madras", Viswanathan Anand. Anand defeated Kramnik in 2007 to become the fifteenth classical world champion. He also coincidentally tied Kramnik's peak rating of 2817, a rating barrier only broken by fourteen players in all of history. Vishy, as Anand is affectionately known, has numerous accolades to his name, including five national sporting awards. The most intriguing thing about Anand though is his longevity. Anand continues to be a top-10 player on the rating list (at the time of this writing) despite being in his 50s. He was also a candidate for the World Championship in 1993 and 2016, which is testimony to the length of Anand's career.
Peak Rating: 2785
Years Holding Title: 1972-1975
Win/Draw Rate: 57.23% wins; 29.77% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 100% (technically)
Bobby Fischer is the only American world champion in history, as well as arguably the most famous player of all time. Fischer's meteoric rise to international recognition began in 1956 when he played the "Game of the Century," and became the youngest player to win the U.S. Junior Chess Championships. He followed up this success by breaking more records in his youth. He was the youngest to win the U.S. Open, U.S. Championship, become an international master, qualify for the Candidates, and become a grandmaster. He then defeated Spassky in the Match of the Century, temporarily ending Soviet dominance before he descended into mental insanity during his adulthood. However, he remains the greatest American player in history, and his play has inspired many great chess players who would come after him.
Peak Rating: 2851
Years Holding Title: 1985-2000
Win/Draw Rate: 54.13% wins; 37.43% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 85.71% (6-1)
Garry Kasparov is one of the greatest chess players in history, and easily the second-best world champion to date. During his youth he had success in both junior and open events, securing first-place victories in both the Soviet Junior Championship and the Soviet Championship. In 1985, Kasparov became the youngest world champion in history after beating Karpov at age 22. He then held the title until 2000, remaining the number-one player in the world until 2006. He ended up defending his title a total of five times. The only other champion to complete this feat was Emanuel Lasker. Kasparov also reached a peak rating of 2856, an unprecedented number at the time. The only other player to surpass this rating is the #1 world champion in this blog. In 1993, Kasparov had a fallout with FIDE and formed the rival organization PCA, which held its own, separate world championships until 2006. While Kasparov has officially retired as of 2005, his legacy continues today as he trains players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, and founded his own chess website, Kasparovchess.com, in 2021.
Peak Rating: 2882
Years Holding Title: 2013-2023
Win/Draw Rate: 42.54% wins; 42.45% draws
WCC Match Win Rate: 100% (5-0)
And now we've finally reached the GOAT. No surprise here. Boasting the highest FIDE rating in history, and the only undefeated tenure as world champion (with a record of 5-0), Magnus Carlsen's portfolio is stunning. Besides being a five-time classical world champion, Magnus is also a four-time World Rapid Chess Champion and a six-time World Blitz Chess Champion. He became the second-youngest grandmaster in history in 2004 and became the youngest player to crack the 2800 rating threshold in 2009. Carlsen has dominated chess in the 21st century, being the favorite in almost every single event he's played in since 2013. He's also been the unbudging #1 player in the world since 2011. While it seems that retirement is imminent for Carlsen proceeding his resignation of the world champion crown, he is still continuing to dominate at the top level and is unquestionably the greatest player in history.
Conclusion:
And that'll wrap up my World Champions ranking. As always, thanks so much for reading. Make sure to let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this more educational/ranking type of blog from me, and if you'd like to see similar blogs in the future. I'll try to post one more blog this summer, probably sometime in mid-August, and then my next OTB recap will probably come in late September. Thanks again for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time,
-Nimzo
