Do you think there are unknown players that can beat the GMs?

So, I know that chess GMs are really amazing at chess, and I do not mean any disrespect to them whatsoever. However, I once heard Michael Richards tell about how he lost to a Chess savant on the street when he could beat the computers back then when they were around 2100 Elo.

This intrigued me, and I began wondering whether it is possible that there are truly amazing players out there that can play at Grandmaster level. Not chess Savants, per se, I'm just talking about people who play the computer all the time and are able to play very strongly but never played in a tournament or anything. I'm wondering what the chances are that those people exist, and whether they are good enough to trounce the Grandmasters or not. It really wouldn't surprise me with all the free chess engines and GUIs and all along with all the free chess literature and classes. However, I wanted to get you all's thoughts on this.

I think it's just a tall-tale.

Has there been a genuinely unknown player emerge and be better than most or almost all GMs? Better than any normal and in practice GM?

Until we see that, there's not much sense in entertaining such a long shot possibility.

What about blitzPHENOM?

He could be a titled player playing anonymously. But of course we can't be sure.

Any GM could be wearing an online mask. Evidence of the GM unknown would be him coming forward in the real world and beating GMs.

Well i have beat 3 GMs.  Can you see me?

What about Mir Sultan Khan? He surprised a few top players in his time.

Playing an engine is not a good way to learn.

But yes, there is a lot of free material and the ability to play online anytime. There are also people with IM and GM friends who can play and learn a lot without ever playing in a tournament.

So sure, there are likely a non-zero number of GM level players who have no title. But I'm sure they've worked hard and learned a lot just the same.

I'd call Khan unpublicized rather than unknown. No one cared that he was a dominant national champion in a game related to our chess.

He wasn't unknown, just not very highly regarded, and then he took off like a rocket.

Are you being serious or are you just wanting to brag?

You weren't unknown. You had a rating and people knew who you were.

Nehtzmedtinov is one example of a world class GM but never got the title.  This happened to many players in the Soviet Union. They could not get permission to play in foreign tournaments where they could achieve the necessary norms.

But everyone knows who is strong amongst untitled players.  I think the question was meant to be, "Could an unknown amateur beat a GM in a tournament game?".  The answer is surely "No".  As the amater improved to a standard where they would have at least a small chance (at least FM level)  they would become known.

My rating over the board USCF never reached 2200, it has been 2188 for the past 43 years and yes my record is very good against grandmasters for one on one encounters [not simuls].

I believe there are very few chess hustlers who could beat GMs at blitz and bullet OTB, not using mouse or touchpad. At longer time control, they are helpless as they dont have the patience to think for more than 2 minutes 😎

Anyone over 2000 would have at least a puncher's chance in a one-off game (perhaps not against the elite super-GMs, but certainly against your regular 2500 GM).

I suppose is not possible to win a match.

"I'm just talking about people who play the computer all the time and are able to play very strongly but never played in a tournament or anything. I'm wondering what the chances are that those people exist, and whether they are good enough to trounce the Grandmasters or not."

Does that sound like you?

Agree pretty much. It's utterly normal that a 2200 that plays long enough at that level and meets GM opponents will snag points here and there.

That doesn't mean they are secret GMs or that they are some unknown talent.

The fact is, any player has his chances against someone 200-300-500 points stronger. Anyone who understands how Elo works will know this.

As I recall, it's when the difference gets to around 735 points that the chance to score is essentially mathematically dismissed.

I think I could score 1/10 against a 2500.