Gary Kasparov turns 46 today. Where would you rank him among the greatest World Champions in history?
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Gary Kasparov turns 46
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Gary Kasparov turns 46 today. Where would you rank him among the greatest World Champions in history?
I’d rank him first. His record from 1985 to 2000 was almost unblemished. The only other player with similar longevity and lack of major blemishes was probably Lasker, though he was lucky to draw with Schlecter and was well trounced by Capablanca when he finally lost the title.
Every time has his sovereign. In his time Kasparov was undoubtful the best. You could not compare the champions between different times.
I’d rank him top 50, to the surprise of all bloggers. There are too many geniuses out there. I am sure Gary would agre with me, if asked and replies honestly.
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I’d rank him first. It is because Bobby Fisher went over the board and passed the thin line separating the geniuses and lunatic.
elephat, african or bull? hey you forgto to mention that when that happened age was a decisive factor (end also, pe, LA HABANA)…
probably among the top 3 of all times, i cnt decide for myself sry, it s to o hard question, today carlsen is number one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jb.
” It is because Bobby Fisher went over the board and passed the thin line separating the geniuses and lunatic.”
Aw, you know Bobby was everybody’s favorite Anti-semite.
Bobby Fischer was murdered by the Japanese! Click Here!
Kasparov has to be ranked #1 of all times. His domination, tournament record while champion, and his ability to promote chess surpass everyone else.
Well, if Fischer had had Russian training who knows how strong he would’ve been.
Kasparov showed an unequaled ability to pull out his best chess when the occasion demanded.
He is also impressive for being able to couple an unparalleled attacking brilliance with strategic mastery.
In his later games he had many examples of positional domination, often based on pawn sacrifices.
His courage in play is probably matched only by Topalov among modern players; however, his play is much sounder than Topalov’s, overall.
His record outshines Fischer’s, for length of time on top alone.
Kasparov is not my favorite player—I preferred Karpov’s chess, and I am a big fan of Ivanchuk today. I think Ivanchuk shows more originality in the openings than anyone else.
Nonetheless, Kasparov is clearly the #1 player of post WWII era.
It’s not fair to compare him with players of different eras though.
It may be that Anderssen and Morphy was more brilliant than Kasparov, or vice-versa, but how can you tell?
Lasker would be my choice for #2.
Fischer’s ranking has to be lowered because he refused to defend his title.
How is it fair to rank him better than Petrosian, for example?
He can’t be much higher, in my opinion.
Kasparov,Fischer,Karpov were head and shoulders above their contemporaries. Of those three Kasparov would have to be given the nod. Fischer’s rein though brilliant was cut very short by his fear of losing and his progressing mental illness.
He would definitely be top 5–it’s so hard to compare Grandmasters from past generations since modern players learned from them. In my opinion, Capablanca would have to be number one; the man went 8 years without losing a single game!!!!
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Kasparov N.1
Probably, #2 – after Steinitz
Placing Fischer on the top is a lunacy. He is the greatest challenger ever and the weakest champion. Being the champion means fighting the coming challengers, not hiding behind ridiculous excuses.
Kasparov, Karpov and Fischer are the the all times greatest. But Kasparov was the only one who were by far the best for a period of nearly 20 years, so no doubt he is no. 1. Actually, Fischer was supreme for a relatively short period of time. As a genius he also understood that the young Karpov would be something else than Spassky. Im honestly think he was too scared. And I don’t blame him. He had become a legend and cold war hero. He had everything to lose.
Of course he is the man!
Anyone who doubts that is probably too young to know his games.
He won almost every tournament he played and wanted to reeach 100% even when he played black against Anand, who happens to be the champ in this era. This alone confirms Kasparows strength and reign.
He is probably the best player ever!
Kasparov himself said that the best way to rate a player is compared to the players of his time… (I don’t know where the quote is.) But, anyways, in that respect, Morphy and Fischer were better than Kasparov. In terms of who is the absolute best player, though, I would have to say Kasparov.
He is clearly the dominant player of his era. As for other eras:….
Pre-professional: Morphy – his handling of the open game is still worth studying.
Dawn of the Pro era: Lasker
Middle Pro era: Capablanca/Alekhine
Pro era 1950’s: Botvinnik
Pro era 1960’s: Petrosian/Spassky
Pro era 1970 to dawn of computer era: Fischer
Early computer era: Kasparov (it still possible in his day for man to win)
Middle computer era: ? Anand ?
Late computer era: ?when computers and math can “prove” the game is a draw or win for white.
Kasparov, hands down. No one else is close. Fischer’s historical Elo was rocketing upward, and maybe he could have reached 2900 IF HE HAD HAD KASPAROV’S FIGHTING SPIRIT…but alas he did not, did not defend his title, and will forever be known as the lesser of the two players. I would even put Karpov second, Lasker third, Capa fourth, and Fischer fifth.
On top…
He is #1 forever, imho. Chess is really miss him. Politic is so dirty, millions would be happy hearing “I’ll be back!”, Garry.
COME BACK!!!
Given that he only managed to beat Karpov, who got the title by default, only to lose the title himself the first time against a legal challenger, his claim is not good. Botvinnik also got the title by only playing in a tournament and not by playing Alekhine, so they seem to be on a par with each other. All the other champions beat the previous champion except obviously Steinitz the first and Karpov. Given that Botvinnik won the title three times, I guess Kasparov must be the second worst champion in history, just above Karpov.