Delve into the rich history of World Chess Champions and the greatest chess players in history. Explore famous chess games or download classic matches for a pure, high-quality chess experience free from distractions.
Ruy López de Segura (Spain)
Greatest Chess Player and Contributor in his Prime.
1559
Leonardo di Bona and Paolo Boi (Sicily)
«The first World Chess Championship», the tournament in Madrid in 1575.
1575
Alessandro Salvio (Italy)
Known for his dominance, groundbreaking theories, and preserving a strong tradition in chess.
1600
Gioachino Greco (Italy)
With his elegant play, disciplined approach, and influential writings, Greco’s legacy in chess theory remains unmatched.
1620
Legall de Kermeur (France)
Due to his exceptional skills and his role as a mentor to François-André Philidor.
1730
François-André Danican Philidor (France)
Beating Legall and pioneering emphasis on pawn structures made him the era’s number one.
1755
Alexandre Deschapelles (France)
Defeating the strongest contemporaries and pioneering innovative strategies.
1815
Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais (France)
Beating Lewis (1823) and McDonnell (1834) established him as the strongest player of his time. [game-collection]
1823
The Romantic Era of Chess
This era celebrated aggressive play and classic chess matches, defined by daring sacrifices and beautiful combinations.
Howard Staunton (England)
Defeating Saint-Amant in 1843 and promoting modern chess made him a key figure of his era. [game-collection]
1843
Adolf Anderssen (Prussia)
Winning the 1851 London tournament secured his place as the strongest player of his time. [game-collection]
1851
Paul Morphy (USA)
Dominating Anderssen in 1858 and defeating Europe’s best made him a legend among legends. [game-collection]
1858
Adolf Anderssen (Preussia)
With Morphy retired, winning the 1862 London tournament restored his status as the strongest player. [game-collection]
1862
Wilhelm Steinitz (Austria)
Winning the 1866 match against Anderssen, Steinitz laid the foundation for modern positional play. [game-collection]
1866
Johannes Zukertort (England)
Winning the 1883 London tournament crowned an outstanding career. [game-collection]
1883
Undisputed World Chess Champions
The official World Chess Champions, recognized as the best of their time.
Wilhelm Steinitz (Austria)
The 1st Official World Chess Champion, defeating Johannes Zukertort in 1886. [game-collection]
1886
William Steinitz (USA)
Defended his title in the 1889 WCC by defeating Mikhail Chigorin. [game-collection]
1889
William Steinitz (USA)
Defended his title in the 1890–1891 WCC by defeating Isidor Gunsberg. [game-collection]
1890 – 1891
William Steinitz (USA)
Successfully defending his title in the 1892 WCC, Steinitz defeated Mikhail Chigorin. [game-collection]
1892
Emanuel Lasker (Germany)
Winning the 1894 WCC against defending champion William Steinitz, Lasker became the 2nd Official World Champion. [game-collection]
1894
Emanuel Lasker (Germany)
In the 1896–1897 WCC rematch, he successfully defended his title against William Steinitz. [game-collection]
1896 – 1897
Emanuel Lasker (Germany)
Successfully defending his title in the WCC, he triumphed over challenger Frank Marshall. [game-collection]
1907
Emanuel Lasker (Germany)
Defending his title in the 1908 WCC, Lasker defeated Siegbert Tarrasch. [game-collection]
1908
Emanuel Lasker (Germany)
A 1–1 tie with challenger Carl Schlechter in the WCC was sufficient to retain the title. [game-collection]
1910 – 1st
Emanuel Lasker (Germany)
Successfully defending the title in the WCC against Dawid Janowski. [game-collection]
1910 – 2nd
José Raúl Capablanca (Cuba)
Defeating Emanuel Lasker, becoming the 3rd Official World Champion. [game-collection]
1921
Alexander Alekhine (France)
By defeating José Raúl Capablanca in the WCC, he became the 4th Official World Chess Champion. [game-collection]
1927
Alexander Alekhine (France)
Victory against challenger Efim Bogoljubov in the WCC gave no new titleholder. [game-collection]
1929
Alexander Alekhine (France)
In the WCC rematch, defeating Efim Bogoljubov for the second time, he successfully defended his title. [game-collection]
1934
Max Euwe (the Netherlands)
He became the 5th Official World Chess Champion by defeating Alexander Alekhine. [game-collection]
1935
Alexander Alekhine (France)
By defeating Max Euwe, he reclaimed the title, returning as World Chess Champion. [game-collection]
1937
The Onset of Soviet Union Chess Hegemony
The Soviet Union dominates world chess, shaping the modern era of champions.
Mikhail Botvinnik (Soviet Union)
Winning the FIDE WCC in a round-robin tournament, and becoming the 6th Official World Chess Champion. [game-collection]
1948
Mikhail Botvinnik (Soviet Union)
In the FIDE WCC, a dramatic tie with David Bronstein allowed the reigning champion to retain his title. [game-collection]
1951
Mikhail Botvinnik (Soviet Union)
In the FIDE WCC, a tie with challenger Vasily Smyslov enabled Botvinnik to retain his title. [game-collection]
1954
Vasily Smyslov (Soviet Union)
Becoming the 7th World Chess Champion in the FIDE WCC by defeating Mikhail Botvinnik. [game-collection]
1957
Mikhail Botvinnik (Soviet Union)
Reclaiming the title in the FIDE WCC, beating Vasily Smyslov. [game-collection]
1958
Mikhail Tal(Soviet Union)
He became the 8th World Chess Champion in the FIDE WCC, defeating Mikhail Botvinnik. [game-collection]
1960
Mikhail Botvinnik (Soviet Union)
By defeating Mikhail Tal, he reclaimed the title in the FIDE WCC. [game-collection]
1961
Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian(Soviet Union)
Becoming the 9th World Chess Champion in the FIDE WCC by defeating Mikhail Botvinnik. [game-collection]
1963
Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian(Soviet Union)
Retaining his title as World Chess Champion in the FIDE WCC, with a victory over Boris Spassky. [game-collection]
1966
Boris Spassky (Soviet Union)
Crowned as the 10th World Chess Champion in the FIDE WCC, with a triumph over Tigran Petrosian. [game-collection]
1969
Fischer Revolution and The Karpov-Kasparov Era
From Fischer’s brilliance to the greatest chess matches of the Karpov-Kasparov era.
Robert James Fischer (USA)
The 11th World Chess Champion in the FIDE WCC, beating Boris Spassky to claim the title. [game-collection]
1972
Anatoly Karpov (Soviet Union)
Became the 12th World Chess Champion after Bobby Fischer refused to defend his title.
1975
Anatoly Karpov (Soviet Union)
He retained his title in the FIDE WCC, defeating Viktor Korchnoi. [game-collection]
1978
Anatoly Karpov (Soviet Union)
The FIDE WCC featured Karpov’s victory over Viktor Korchnoi in the «Massacre in Merano.» [game-collection]
1981
1st Karpov vs. Kasparov Match
The FIDE WCC was controversially halted after an unprecedented number of games. [game-collection]
1984 – 1985
2nd Karpov vs. Kasparov Match
Kasparov became the 13th World Chess Champion. [game-collection]
1985
3rd Karpov vs. Kasparov Match
In the historic FIDE WCC rematch, Anatoly Karpov was narrowly defeated. [game-collection]
1986
4th Karpov vs. Kasparov Match
Kasparov retained his title after a dramatic finish. [game-collection]
1987
5th Karpov vs. Kasparov Match
Kasparov defended his title once again in his fifth and final FIDE WCC match against Karpov. [game-collection]
1990
The Split of Chess: FIDE vs. PCA
The split in the chess world led to separate World Chess Championship tournaments organized by FIDE and the Professional Chess Association (PCA), marking a period of division in the sport.
FIDE WCC
Anatoly Karpov (Russia) reclaimed the title by defeating Jan Timman. [game-collection]
1993
PCA WCC
Garry Kasparov (Russia) defeated Nigel Short (England). [game-collection]
1993
PCA WWC
Garry Kasparov (Russia) defended his title against Viswanathan Anand (India). [game-collection]
1995
FIDE WCC
Alexander Khalifman (Russia) won a KO tournament with over 100 participants. [game-collection]
1999
PCA WWC
Russian Vladimir Kramnik defeated fellow countryman Garry Kasparov. [game-collection]
Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan) triumphed in a knockout tournament, defeating Michael Adams in the final. [game-collection]
2004
PCA WWC
Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) retained his title after a draw against Peter Leko (Hungary). [game-collection]
2004
FIDE WCC
Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) claimed the title with a commanding performance in the double round-robin format. [game-collection]
2005
Undisputed World Chess Champions – One Federation!
The unification of the world chess title after years of division.
Vladimir Kramnik (Russia)
Kramnik, the 14th World Chess Champion, reunited the titles despite the controversy surrounding the Toilet Scandal. [game-collection]
2006
Viswanathan Anand (India)
Was crowned the 15th official World Chess Champion after a Double Round Robin in Mexico. [game-collection]
2007
Viswanathan Anand (India)
The «Tiger of Madras» defended his title with victory against Vladimir Kramnik. [game-collection]
2008
Viswanathan Anand (India)
A decisive victory over Veselin Topalov in a dramatic final game. [game-collection]
2010
Viswanathan Anand (India)
The match was decided in rapid tiebreaks after a tightly contested battle between Boris Gelfand and the reigning champion. [game-collection]
2012
The Dawn of Magnus Carlsen’s Reign
A new era begins as Carlsen redefines World Chess with endurance and versatility.
Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
Defeating Viswanathan Anand in the FIDE WCC, he became the 16th World Chess Champion. [game-collection]
2013
Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
Beating Viswanathan Anand in the FIDE WCC rematch, the reigning World Chess Champion remained unchanged. [game-collection]
2014
Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
Sergey Karjakin went down in a dramatic rapid tiebreak in the FIDE WCC, allowing the reigning champion to maintain his hold on the title. [game-collection]
2016
Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
After 12 consecutive draws in the classical games, the reigning champion defeated Fabiano Caruana in the rapid tiebreaks. [game-collection]
2018
Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
Ian Nepomniachtchi was unable to defeat the reigning champion in the FIDE WCC. [game-collection]
2021
Ding Liren (China)
As in 2021, Ian Nepomniachtchi fell short once again. Magnus Carlsen opted not to defend his title in this edition of the FIDE WCC. [game-collection]
2023
Dommaraju Gukesh (India)
By beating Ding Liren in the FIDE WCC, he became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at just 18 years old. [game-collection]
2024
The Global Significance of Chess: A Cultural and Political Force
Chess has evolved from its origins in India, Persia, and Europe into a global sport and cultural symbol. Initially used as a strategic tool in warfare and diplomacy, it quickly grew into a symbol of intellect and competitive excellence. Furthermore, chess has often reflected ideological and political struggles, particularly during the Cold War, when the Soviet Union showcased it as proof of intellectual superiority. Over time, however, chess has transcended politics to become a universal and inclusive sport.
The establishment of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) in 1924 was instrumental in uniting the chess world under a single governing body. Since then, FIDE has organized and maintained the World Chess Championship and other major events, ensuring nearly a century of global competition. Legendary players such as Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen have elevated chess on the world stage, inspiring generations to take up the game and shaping its modern appeal.
A Diverse Landscape: Chess Powerhouses and the Global Chess Community
Throughout history, chess has been dominated by different nations, each contributing to its rich legacy. Europe, home to pioneers like Ruy López and François-André Philidor, laid the foundation for modern chess. Later, figures like Emanuel Lasker carried this legacy forward, holding the World Champion title for an incredible 27 years. Across the Atlantic, the United States left its mark with Bobby Fischer, who famously ended Soviet dominance during the Cold War.
Meanwhile, India has emerged as a modern chess powerhouse. Viswanathan Anand, the country’s first World Chess Champion, paved the way for a new generation of talent, with players like Dommaraju Gukesh continuing to raise India’s profile on the global chess stage.
Today, chess thrives as a truly global phenomenon. Countries from every continent contribute to its growth, showcasing the game’s universal appeal. Moreover, FIDE’s ongoing efforts to unite players and nations under one competitive framework have solidified the World Chess Championship as the sport’s pinnacle. In addition to fostering competition, chess acts as a bridge between cultures, connecting people worldwide in their shared pursuit of intellectual excellence.
A Timeless Reminder
As we celebrate the ranks of chess’s greatest players and flirt with the delusion that a player might somehow transcend the game itself, an old Italian proverb wryly reminds us:
«At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.»
This page is currently under construction.
«I’m Torbjørn Dahl, chairman of Hell Chess Club. This project, which began in 2021, started as a way for me to learn more about chess history and to create the kind of timeline and explanations I always wished existed—something that presents the greatest players in chess in a clear and accessible way. The project is still a work in progress.»
Sources for The World Chess Champions Timeline
This timeline, along with its subpages showcasing games, player information, and images, is built upon a variety of reliable and well-established sources to ensure the highest level of accuracy, historical depth, and credibility.
1. Wikipedia A valuable resource for comprehensive overviews of chess history, notable players, their games, and the evolution of the game.
2. Lichess Used for classification of openings and in-depth game analysis. A key source for modern game statistics and strategies.
3. The Week in Chess Provides high-quality game collections and up-to-date reports from tournaments and matches. Regularly used for historical and recent game reviews.
4. 365Chess.com, Chessgames.com, and Chess-DB.com Renowned databases that offer extensive collections of verified games, detailed player profiles, and historical tournament results.
5. Historical Chess Tournaments Archive An important archive for detailed tournament histories, complete with PGN files, offering a rich source for historical chess tournaments and their impact on the game.
6. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Assisted in drafting and refining content for clarity, accuracy, and coherence, ensuring high-quality summaries and explanations throughout the timeline.
7. OpenAI DALL·E Used to generate profile images, timeline illustrations, and group portraits based on historical depictions of chess champions.
Usage of Sources
The information included in this timeline is derived from various reputable sources that are widely recognized within the chess community. We have ensured that all provided sources contribute to an accurate portrayal of the World Chess Champions and their historical significance. Additionally, all images used are either AI-generated or publicly available and appropriately credited.
The World Chess Champions
Evolution of World Chess Champions
The Evolution of World Chess Champions spans centuries, from the First World Chess Champion, Steinitz, to today’s greatest players. Click on each era to explore the defining matches and legendary rivalries that shaped chess history.
Youngest World Chess Champion and the First World Chess Champion
Relive the most famous chess games played by World Chess Champions, from Steinitz’s classical strategies to Gukesh’s modern brilliance. Click on a champion to uncover their greatest triumphs and see history in motion.
Greatest Chess Matches
Beyond their titles, every champion has a story—from the First World Chess Champion to today’s youngest contender—in the Evolution of World Chess Champions. Discover chess legends and their greatest games, from classic encounters to modern masterpieces. Explore the full timeline and experience chess history move by move.