Most powerful country in chess

I think Russia is the most powerful country in chess because most of the world champions and GMs come from Russia

Canada, after all, it has me.

Well it depends. Overall Russia because although not many of its players are in the official top 6 of all time by chess statisticians, they have had many world champions like Petrosian, Botvinnik and Spassky. Was Karpov Russian?

Now: Russia, in 10 years it will probably be the Chinese.

Yes, he was.

Though, I think its more accurate to say Slavic Countries are the most chess dominant, or former USSR countries. Second is most likely India right now, follows by America. I am not sure if China will overtake Slavic dominance, but there will soon be much more Chinese grandmasters. 

Yes, due to sheer numbers, the Chinese and Indians will have fantastic players in all sports, even European ones like soccer!!

Russian history in chess is intriguing.

Russia is definetly the place to be where chess is concerned.

I believe chess is the most popular in Iceland. They also have the largest # of GMs per capita.

Armenia has the best players for such a small country. Didn't they win the world championship this year? Also Petrosian is Armenian. Kasparov considered by many the greatest of all time is also Armenian, although only his mother was so I guess not full.

well....by using some twisted logic i can say that as the World Champion is from India,it should be India.but jokes apart,the most powerful country in chess is undoubtedly Russia.

Russia is still the chess-powerhouse, but the former USSR countries are giving their former masters a run for their money chess-wise.

Wales is having a chess rennaissance.  I would take The Beast and Dai Young over anything from Russia

I highly recommend these books for anyone interested in Russian chess history:

Russian Silhouettes by Genna Sosonko

The Reliable Past by Genna Sosonko

Smart Chip from St. Petersburg by Genna Sosonko

 I share iliosis's somewhat sceptical view of whether or not China will overtake Slavic dominance.

As for popularity.  I predict another chess boom in the United States (not on the scale of the Fischer boom but a boom none the less).                  

It would be the russians, but on this site i have no idea...

It depends about the timeline as well. Historically Russia, but now, there are many other countries that could rival it; as some people have said the Slavic countries, and India and America are also heavyweights. Russia's dominance is fading.

Kasparov is not armenian he was azerbajanian, now russian

Hmm, so much contrasting Russia and USSR... Guys, in my time, and the time of Botvinniks, Petrosyans, Karpovs and Kasparovs, it was one country and one nation. It was called Russia for about the same reasons USA is called America - without any intention to offend anybody.

LoL Iceland could have one GM per 100 years and still have the  most per capita.