I'm a software developer and tech-head by nature, having worked with a number of the UK's top tech companies including 
Magnus Carlsen
Another controversial inclusion is the young grandmaster Magnus Carlsen. Having recently reached the title of World’s youngest ever chess player at the age of 19, I include Magnus in the list because quite simply I believe him to truly be the first of a generation of chess players brought up on chess machine training. Carlsen is one of only 5 Grandmasters to have ever reached the peak of 2800+ rating. He’s the first player from a Western nation to reach the top in the FIDE rating list since Bobby Fischer in 1972.
The following is an example of his imaginative combinative play against an albeit weaker opponent.
[Event "WYCC 2003 - B14"]
[Site "Halkidiki"]
[Date "2003.10.23"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Jon Ludvig Hammer"]
[Black "Magnus Carlsen"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2074"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[Annotator "James"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "2003.10.23"]
1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nbd2 g6 4. e4 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. c3 e5 8. h3 Nh5 9. dxe5 Nf4 10. Bb5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Qg5 12. Ng4 Qxb5 13.
Nb3 Ne2+ 14. Kh1 Bxg4 15. hxg4 Rae8 16. Be3 Rxe4 17. Re1 Qh5+ 0-1
1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nbd2 g6 4. e4 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. c3 e5 8. h3
Carlsen’s opponent Jon Ludwig Hammer anticipates that he wants to play Bg4
next move. Magnus on the other hand has other intentions.
8…Nh5 Aiming to plant the knight on f4 not only to threaten Bishop at d3 which will gain him a tempo but also put considerable pressure on the h3 pawn which has now become a target of Carlsen’s attention.
9. dxe5 Nf4 10. Bb5?!
10.Bc2 is much better here.
10…Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Qg5!!
The start of a brilliant combination. Magnus avoids capturing straight away instead immediately threatening mate and the all important g2-h3 squares.
12. Ng4 Qxb5
The mark of an excellent player is defined by the coordination of their pieces. Hammer’s pieces are clearly uncoordinated whereas Carlsen’s pieces are working harmoniously together.
13.Nb3 Ne2+ 14. Kh1 Bxg4! 15. hxg4 Rae8!
Magnus’ opponent misses the subtle point of this move completely.
16. Be3 Rxe4 17. Re1 $4 Qh5+! 18. gxh5 Rh4++ – Game over 0-1
Popularity: 100% [?]
Emanuel Lasker should be on the list, his record was much better than Nimzovich and nearly everyone else. Nimzovich might have oontributed more in terms of teaching chess but this is a list of the best chess players not teachers. Other strong candidates for this list include Anand, Kramnik, Steinitz.
Thanks for positng, these lists are always fun.
Thanks Brian,
Your comments are much appreciated.
Sure, Anand, Kramnik and Steinitz are all exceptional candidates who could have made the cut. Unfortunately I can only fit 10 players in. As well, my choices were made on influence as well as chess playing abilities and undoubtably the likes of Nimzovitch had a HUGE impact on the progression of chess theory and theoretical debate.
More comments always welcome. Thanks for stopping by…!
Hi James,
Enjoyed the top 10 article. Also pleased the Nimzowitch Zugswang and the “other” Byrne – Fischer game made the site. Big fan of that game, especially the subtlety around Nxg2 and d4.
Hope all is well mate and you’re back playing chess soon!
Andy