Players

Chess greats

10 players from 9 countries. Search by name if you know who you're looking for, or scroll the list if you don't.

/

Famous players

10 of 10

Scroll the list to discover players you don't know yet.

World number one for 255 months — over twenty years.

Grandmaster · 1980–2005

The highest rating ever achieved, and five world titles.

Grandmaster · 2004–present

Broke Soviet dominance alone, then walked away.

Grandmaster · 1955–1972

The strongest female player in history — who only ever played the open field.

Grandmaster · 1984–2014

Won more tournaments than any player in history.

Grandmaster · 1966–2004

World champion in every format chess offers.

Grandmaster · 1984–present

Held the world title for twenty-seven years.

Grandmaster · 1889–1936

The Magician from Riga — sacrificed almost everything, almost always.

Grandmaster · 1949–1992

Youngest women's world champion ever, at sixteen.

Grandmaster · 2004–present

Lost around thirty-five serious games in his entire life.

Grandmaster · 1901–1942