For my first chess post since the blog relaunch I decided it’d be interesting to spark a debate on who you believe are the greatest chessplayers of all time and why. I’ve controversially included some faces from new and old. I’ve aimed to pick some of the greatest players from a number of different generations to give a bit of variety.
Unfortunately not everyone could make the cut. I felt compelled to include Vasily Smyslov following his death late last month but he didn’t quite make the grade.
Get in touch with me and let me know if you think I’m totally wrong and who you would include in your top 10 list!
Garry Kasparov
Kasparov seemed an obvious choice. Ranked world no# 1 for 22 years from 1984-2006 the dominance of Kasparov and his influence on the chess world is undisputed. Even when he came out of retirement he managed to tie equal first with Anatoly Kaprov in the Lichthof Chess Champions Tournament in August 22, 2006. He currently trains the world number 1 Magnus Carlsen.
1. e4
Otherwise known as the Kasparov’s “Immortal Game”. This game versus one of the world’s current top players – Vaselin Topalov – see’s Kasparov lead a hunt for Topalov’s king using nearly every piece to do it.
1…d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2 c6 6. f3 b5 7. Nge2
A very traditional start to the Pirc Modern. White’s main aim will be to exchange Topalov’s Black Bishop and start a Kingside attack with the standard h4-h5-g4 advance. Similar to the Sicilian Dragon. Black’s is also traditionally to start his own Queenside attack.
7…Nbd7 8. Bh6 Bxh6?!
Topalov concedes early that he’s not going to castle kingside and closes the door on any of Kasparov’s Kingside ambitions. It’s clear now that Black will castle queenside and attempt to dominate the centre instead.
9. Qxh6 Bb7 10. a3 e5
Both sides have virtually completed development. Topalov begins to challenge in the centre. Kasparov previously put a temporary end to Black’s attempt to further exert control on the centre with the b4 advance. A typical tactic to weaken a player’s grip on the centre is a flank pawn thrust. Not to start an attack but to indirectly aim for the centre.
11.O-O-O Qe7 12. Kb1 a6 13. Nc1 O-O-O 14. Nb3
Kasparov’s knight sortee has resulted in it reaching it’s objective. Topalov also has achieved king safety and has what appears to be a relatively solid position with few weaknesses. Such is the genius of Kasparov that it takes him but a few moves to generate some form of initiative. The hallmark of a class player.
14…exd4 15. Rxd4 c5 16.Rd1 Nb6 17. g3
Kasparov decides the best position for his f1 bishop is the h3-c8 diagonal aiming at Black’s king.
17…Kb8 18. Na5 Ba8 19. Bh3
Already, Kasparov has a preferred position.
19…d5?!
Topalov is under the assumption he has control of the centre, which at first appears to be the case. Kasparov on the other hand has other ideas.
20. Qf4+
Nice intermezzo (in between move) bringing the queen back into play. 20…Ka7 21. Rhe1 Simple. Get all pieces into play aggressively placed before beginning what is literally a “hunt” for Topalov’s king.
21…d4 22. Nd5
Busting open the position and a key move by Kasparov. Without this the position would have remained closed and the scope of his pieces would have been slightly restricted. It’s key moves such as this that distinguish the good from the great players. He would have had to have calculated with precision to confidently give up a pawn and play a move like this.
22…Nbxd5 23. exd5 Qd6 24. Rxd4!!
Another key follow-up move. If he doesn’t sacrifice the rook here hes just giving up the centre and the pawn at
d5.
24…cxd4 25. Re7+!
Black’s Queen is overloaded. 25… Qxe7 is met by 26.Qxd4+ Kb8 27. Qb6+Bb7 28. Nc6+ winning the Queen.
25…Kb6
The king begins a march and Kasparov begins his hunt.
26. Qxd4+ Kxa5 27. b4+ Ka4 28. Qc3Threatening 29. Qb3# 28…Qxd5 29. Ra7 Again threatening mate with 30. Rxa6# 29…Bb7 30. Rxb7! Again, Black’s queen is overloaded and already protecting b3. 30…Qc4 31. Qxf6 Kxa3 32. Qxa6+ Kxb4 33. c3+!!
Brilliant! Kasparov must have seen this entire line when he’d sacrificed his rook.
33…Kxc3 34. Qa1+ Kd2 35. Qb2+ Kd1 36. Bf1!36… Qxf1 is met by 37. Qc2+ Ke1 38. Re7+ Qe2 39. Qxe2# 36…Rd2 37.Rd7! Rxd7 38. Bxc4 bxc4 39. Qxh8
Many players would have missed that this rook would be en-prise after the whole combination – how Kasparov could see all of this from move 24; 13 moves ago is a testament to his analytical ability.
39…Rd3 40. Qa8 c3 41. Qa4+ Ke1 42. f4 f5 43. Kc1 Rd2 44. Qa7 Topalov resigns. He cannot promote his c-pawn and will soon see the rest of his pawns drop and a white one promoted. 1-0
James is a software developer who writes enterprise applications for Kewill Plc. He also creates websites, blogs and plays chess having 18 years experience of playing at a high level.
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…!