I'm a software developer and tech-head by nature, having worked with a number of the UK's top tech companies including 
Paul Morphy
Rather controversially I’ve included Paul Morphy in my list (many will possibly disagree). Known for his brilliant combinative play, Morphy was one of the earliest world chess champions and considered to be stronger than the French world champion, “Monsieur” La Bourdonnais. For me he was one of the greatest if not the greatest chess player of the 19th century. He died at the early age of 47, possibly robbed of an opportunity for him to have etched his name in the annals of early chess history.
[Event "Casual game"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1858.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Paul Morphy"]
[Black "Adolf Anderssen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C39"]
[Annotator "James"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1858.??.??"]
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5.Ne5 Nf6 6. Nxg4 Nxe4 7. d3 Ng3 8. Bxf4 Nxh1 9. Qe2+ Qe7 10. Nf6+ Kd8 11. Bxc7+ Kxc7 12. Nd5+ Kd8 13. Nxe7 Bxe7 14. Qg4 d6 15. Qf4 Rg8 16. Qxf7 Bxh4+ 17. Kd2 Re8 18. Na3 Na6 19. Qh5 Bf6 20. Qxh1 Bxb2 21. Qh4+ Kd7 22. Rb1 Bxa3 23. Qa4+ 1-0
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4
Morphy and Anderssen were both well known for their love of obscure opening gambits, and this one is no exception!
4…g4 5.Ne5
Already a totally bizarre position, Black decides to full commit his pawns in an incredibly aggressive manner. If he’s afforded too much time,
Black’s space could develop into a dangerous initiative. Morphy with this move gives Black no rest.
5…Nf6
5…h5!? was probably better here to protect the g4 pawn and maintain the strong square g4 for White.
6. Nxg4 Nxe4
Probably a little greedy. Black has insufficient time to afford to grab this pawn.
7. d3!
Opening up the e-file and providing White with a dangerous initiative.
7…Ng3 8. Bxf4 Nxh1 9. Qe2+ Qe7 10. Nf6+ Kd8 11. Bxc7+!!
Presumably Anderssen has overlooked this beautiful combination. Morphy wins the exchange and maintains his queen. He also threatens to mop up the Black knight in the corner shortly.
11…Kxc7 12. Nd5+ Kd8 13. Nxe7 Bxe7 14. Qg4 d6 15. Qf4 Rg8 16. Qxf7 Bxh4+ 17. Kd2 Re8
It appears here that Anderssen now has the upper hand. He’s much better developed than Morphy and has a strong group of minor pieces. However, with the White Queen still roaming around an open board he has to be careful he doesn’t get picked off…
18. Na3 Na6 19. Qh5 Bf6 20. Qxh1 Bxb2??
Anderssen gets just too greedy… Instead of trying to get himself developed and secure the rest of his pieces he goes on a pawn grabbing exercise. Morphy rightfully punishes his opponents naivety.
21. Qh4+ Kd7 22. Rb1 Bxa3 23. Qa4+
The mop-up operation has just begun. Anderssen decided he’d had enough and resigned. A superb display from a rare chess genius.
1-0
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