Great Chess Players of History: Exploring Giants Beyond Garry Kasparov

Great Chess Players of History: Exploring Giants Beyond Garry Kasparov

Questioning the recognition of certain chess players against Garry Kasparov is a fascinating topic, as the idea that someone could outshine him is often debated. However, there is a deep misunderstanding in the question itself. Personally, I consider Bobby Fischer to be the greatest of all time, with Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen as arguably the top three ever. Based on this framework, let's explore some other great chess players in history who, in my opinion, were better than Kasparov but did not receive as much recognition.

The Ever-Elusive World Championship

The title of World Champion is a significant milestone in a chess player's career. Not every great player has achieved it, and those who haven't may not have received the same level of recognition. In this article, we will highlight some of the greatest players who could have been World Champions if fortune had been slightly more favorable.

Paul Keres: Estonia's Top Talent

Paul Keres, known as "Paul the Second" is a prime example. He won the AVRO 1938 chess tournament, designed to select the next challenger to play Alexander Alekhine. Unfortunately, the match never took place due to World War II breaking out. The AVRO tournament was one of the strongest ever, featuring 4 current or future world champions: Botvinnik, Euwe, Alekhine, and Capablanca, among others. Paul Keres won on tiebreaks, drawing with Reuben Fine.

Paul Keres was renowned for his attacking prowess but displayed a very balanced game. He is widely regarded one of the greatest players who did not win the world championship. Keres' record against Bobby Fischer stands at 3 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws. His brilliance and consistency, even without the title, speak volumes.

Viktor Korchnoi: The Eternal Challenger

Viktor Korchnoi, the last player to challenge Karpov before he faced Fischer, is another standout. He played two grueling matches against Karpov, each lasting insane marathons with long strings of draws. Known for his huge differences with the Soviet Union, Korchnoi defected to Switzerland in 1976. He competed for the World Championship 10 times, showing immense competitive fire.

Korchnoi remained a formidable opponent long after many other champions were retiring or declining. His record against Fischer was 2 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws. At the age of 75, Korchnoi was ranked 85th in the world, making him the oldest player ever to be in the top 100.

Exploring the Top 100 List

I did include Anand in this select group, recognizing his talent and contributions to the chess world. However, only those who never held the title of World Champion were considered for this discussion. Anand had the opportunity but not the fortune to win the world championship, making him a close but final contender.

It is important to note that the recognition of chess players can often be swayed by factors such as the historical context, the era they played in, and their circumstances. While Kasparov, Fischer, and Carlsen are regarded as the greatest, the giants who walked among us long before and after them are equally deserving of recognition.

Conclusion

Paul Keres and Viktor Korchnoi stand as examples of chess players who were extraordinarily talented and could have achieved the highest honor if history had unfolded differently. Their legacies remind us that the championship title is not the sole measure of greatness in the game of chess.