Soviet world chess champions. Great chess players of the world. Chess players rating

The average chess player sees 5–10 moves ahead; The elite calculates not only their own actions, but also those of their opponents, and possesses tactical and strategic thinking. But even among them there are unique personalities, for example Magnus Carlsen, the 2017 men's world chess champion.

World Chess Champion 2017 - Magnus Carlsen

His play is amazing, but even more surprising is the speed at which the young grandmaster’s talent develops. Magnus passed interesting way to the pinnacle of glory.

The best chess player on the planet was born in Norway in 1990. His family lived for a long time in the provincial town of Tensberg. Besides him, the family has three daughters.

Magnus became acquainted with chess at the age of five, and then learned to play. At first it was nothing more than self-indulgence and was not taken seriously. However, my father, a strong first-class student, laid a good foundation for future achievements.

As a result, children's fun gave Carlsen a start in life. Today he is not only the strongest chess player, but also, perhaps, the most media-rich of them all. Almost 100 thousand people follow his Instagram account.

His atypical appearance for a chess player and wild popularity in his homeland allowed Magnus to sign a million-dollar contract with the G-Star clothing brand. His face can be seen on advertising posters and covers of fashion magazines. Carlsen worked in the same frame with Liv Tyler, Lee Cole and Gemma Arterton. Once he was even invited to Hollywood, but the US Migration Service refused to issue a visa to the champion.

Magnus happily gives interviews and often visits various TV shows. On the air of the British program Skavlan in 2014, he beat the founder of Microsoft. It took Carlsen 11 seconds and 9 moves to checkmate the far from stupid Bill Gates!

In the professional sphere, many note Magnus’s unsurpassed style. He is strong at all stages of the game. Although there is an opinion that Magnus is not good enough at mobilizing forces in the early game.

After Magnus lost the competition in 2011, chess star and youngest grandmaster in history Sergei Karjakin said that his opponent made almost no mistakes and played almost perfectly.

The famous chess player Viktor Korchnoi believed that Magnus Carlsen’s successes were explained not only by tactics and strategy.

“He gets into the opponent’s head, hypnotizes and practically forces him to make mistakes. His confidence in victory is disarming and makes you nervous,”- said the professional.

Experts also admire the champion’s phenomenal memory. Where most would agree to a draw, Carlsen pulls the game in his favor. It is difficult to suppress: it seems that Magnus has a nervous system of steel.

Note: published in Norway in 2014 postage stamp with an image of Carlsen in honor of the tenth anniversary of the Chess Union.

It is interesting that until the age of eight, Magnus did not experience any particular craving for chess games. He preferred:

• basketball;
• tennis;
• football;
• alpine skiing.

As a youth, Carlsen held prizes at ski jumping competitions. Physical form and his skills allowed him to become a good football player, but he chose chess.

Magnus is an avid fan. In 2013–2014 his favorite team, Real Madrid, invited Carlsen to symbolically put the ball into play at the beginning of the match.

What is his path to the professional league? Despite his passion for football, Magnus did not give up playing chess. Already at the age of eight, he easily beat all family members. The guy got bored, and under the auspices of his parents, he began to develop his talent by participating in local and national competitions.

Very soon he came to international level. Seeing the boy’s success, the school administration released him from classes for a year so that he could participate in maximum quantity tournaments.

After two years, he needed a mentor. First, it was International Master Thorbjörn Hansen. However, pretty soon the coach could no longer teach him anything. Next, Simen Agdestein, a grandmaster and multiple champion of Norway, took on the young talent. By the way, he was a professional football player, which may have brought the coach and student closer together.

This cooperation allowed Magnus to show a decent result at the junior tournament in Spain. For this he received the title “Master” according to the International Chess Federation. At that time, the guy was barely 12 years old. Among chess players they began to call him Little Viking.

In 2003, management Microsoft, seeing the guy’s talent, fully paid for the world tour for Magnus and his family. During this time they had to rent out the house and sell the car.

Overall, the first season for Magnus was successful:

• At the tournament in Denmark, he fulfilled the prestigious IM standard for the third time, scoring 8 out of 10 points during the competition.
• He earned bronze at the junior competition in Montenegro.
• In Greece, his game against Jon Hammer so impressed expert Fred Wilson that he included it in his book " Simple plans attacks."
• Carlsen finished the tournament in Budapest in fourth place.

Interesting: At one of the championships, Magnus met at the same board with his teacher Simen Agdestein. However, Magnus was inferior to him in additional indicators.

Men's World Chess Champion: Magnus Carlsen's sporting achievements

The 2004 season was a turning point in Magnus' career. His brilliant play brought him into the elite of the chess world. The first tournament in the Netherlands ended in victory for Magnus. Having scored a total of 10.5 points out of 13 possible, he added 218 points to his personal Elo rating.

In March, he competed against the best grandmasters at a tournament in Iceland. The guy managed to beat the 12th world champion Anatoly Karpov and end the game in a draw against the legendary Garry Kasparov.

A month later, at a competition in Dubai, the chess prodigy became the second (after Sergei Karjakin) youngest grandmaster of all time. Magnus was then fully thirteen years and four months old. After such a triumph, Carlsen's career began to develop even faster.

At the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk in 2005, the fifteen-year-old chess player took an honorable tenth place. An excellent result, considering the total number of participants - 128 people. It is also notable that Magnus was rated below 60% of players.

For the next three years, Carlsen's career was not going well. in the best possible way. His strength of play did not allow him to consistently defeat experienced opponents.

Magnus Carlsen's best results from 2006–2008 the following:

• Victory at the Glitnir Blitz tournament.
• Second place at the tournament in Oslo.
• Silver at tournaments in Spain and the Netherlands.

Professionals noticed significant improvements in Carlsen's playing strength in 2009. At a tournament in China, he won an early victory. The young man repeated the same thing at the London Chess Classic competition. At the end of the year, he became number one in the world rankings.

Many experts say that Magnus owes such significant growth to Garry Kasparov. It is very likely that they were training secretly. Thus, in the game of the Baby Viking, moves characteristic of the legendary champion were noticed. In addition, Carlsen was the first to use the “Scottish game”, which Kasparov often played.

A year later, Magnus confirmed his title as the best, again taking gold at the London tournament, although this time the victory was not so easy for him. He made up for a frankly weak start with a bright finish. Opponents complained: it played into Carlsen’s hands new system accrual of points. If points were calculated using the old method, Magnus would not have risen above third position.

2014 was a particularly successful year for Carlsen. After winning in Switzerland, he increased his maximum Elo score by nine points. Then the strength of Magnus's game surpassed that of the legendary Garry Kasparov in his best years.

At the tournament in United Arab Emirates The young grandmaster won two championship titles at once - in rapid chess and blitz. Less than three months had passed since Magnus confirmed his title as the best, winning an early victory over Viswanathan Anand.

Today Magnus Carlsen is the undisputed leader in chess. As professionals note, he is not just the best among equals, but is head and shoulders above his rivals. Since 2009, he has received the Chess Oscar five times in a row.

However, competitors do not allow Magnus to relax and rest on his laurels. Every year the level of the opponents grows, and they strive to take away the title. Now there is at least one person in the world who can do this - Armenian chess player Levon Aronian.

The guys have already met at the same board several times, and it cannot be said that Magnus dominated. Of course, there were victories, but Levon never gave up without a fight. Thus, Aronian won against the Norwegian for the first time in 2007, beating him in the qualifying match.

Carlsen was also inferior to him in 2009–2012. At the end of 2017, Levon Aronian, having defeated Carlsen in a personal meeting this summer, and also winning the World Cup, received the right to compete for the title of absolute champion.

He will have this opportunity if he wins the qualifying candidates tournament, which will take place in March 2018 in Berlin. If this happens, the outcome of his meeting with the champion is difficult to predict. On the one hand, Levon is stronger than Magnus in blitz, but on the other hand, the Norwegian is much more stable in psychologically. It has happened more than once that Aronian “broke” under the pressure of competition.

Most likely, their meeting will still take place. Many chess fans are expecting an unprecedented spectacle from this match. How it will go is unknown, but one thing is certain: it will be very difficult for Magnus to defend the title of the best chess player in the world. May the best man win!

The first world chess champion was determined in the official match between Steinitz and Zukertort from January 11 to March 29, 1886 in three US cities (New York, St. Louis, New Orleans). Steinitz won this match with a score of +10 – 5 = 5 and was declared world champion.

Wilhelm Steinitz - Austrian and American chess player, the first official world chess champion (1886-1894). At the turn of the 1860-1870s, having already received recognition as the strongest player of his time after winning a match against Adolf Andersen, Steinitz developed the doctrine of positional play, which replaced the dominant “romantic” combination school and significantly enriched chess.

Johann Hermann Zukertort - one of the strongest chess players in the world 2nd half of the 19th century century, contender for the world championship. Chess journalist, together with Adolf Andersen, founder of the Chess Monthly magazine.

The match began on January 11, 1886, at Cartier Hall, Fifth Avenue, in New York, and ended on January 20, when Zukertort scored 4 victories in a row after losing the first game. The match was resumed on February 3 in St. Louis. The judges were Ben R. Foster for Steinitz and William Duncan for Zukertort. The St. Louis match ended on February 10 after Steinitz had scored 3 wins and a draw.

After resting for almost 2 weeks, the match resumed in New Orleans on February 26. But carnival events led to the suspension of the match for several days. After the draw, Steinitz took the lead with two victories. Zukertort in the next 5 games: won 1, 3 ended in a draw and 1 loss. Steinitz then won the last 3 games, becoming the first official world champion, on March 29, 1886, the match ended with the final score (+10 -5 =5).

Let's look at the final 20 game of the match for the title of the first world chess champion between Steinitz and Zukertort in 1886.

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 played out (diagram 1). 3...ef 4.d4 d5 5.ed Qh4+ 6.Kre2 Qe7+ (gave black nothing 6...Bg4+ 7.Nf3) 7.Kрf2 Qh4+ 8.g3 fg+ 9.Kрg2 N:d4(9...gh? 10.R:h2 Q:d4 11.dc Q:d1 12.K:d1 bc and White has a piece for three pawns and the opportunity to place his pieces more actively).

10.hg Qg4 11.Qe1+ Be7 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.Nf3 Bd7 14.Bf4 f6 15.Ne4 Ngh6 16.B:h6 N:h6 17.R:h6! an unexpected combination after which Black loses his queen or is left without a piece.17...gh 18.K:f6+ Kрf8 19.K:g4 and blacks admitted defeat.

Good day, dear friend!

The strongest is always in sight. Everyone wants to know about him, imitate his manners, style of behavior, and methods of preparation. World chess champions no exception. In today's article we will remember who has held this title over the past 130 years.

Why are there 16 champions?

At the end of 2016 Magnus Carlsen defended his title of chess champion in a difficult match with Sergey Karjakin. Carlsen is considered the 16th world champion in the chess world.

And now about those fifteen outstanding chess players who were his predecessors.

It should be said that the period 1993 to 2006. in the chess world it is customary to call “ troubled times" At this time, the title existed in two versions - FIDE and PSA. In addition, the champion title during this period was played out not in matches, but in a tournament format. The winner of the tournament with the participation of candidates received the title of world champion.

Nobody belittles the significance of victory in the fight for the championship.However, the value of a championship during this period of time is somewhat lower than the title won match . This is not the author's opinion, but an assessment of the chess world.

It is believed that there are 16 recognized champions in classical chess. These are the champions who won the title in a full official match. Let's talk about them in more detail. Who was champion in the 19th and 20th centuries, and who became champion literally today, at the end 2016.

All champions

Below is a list of men's champions in chronological order in classical chess. If you prefer details by year and in a more compact form, you are welcome here: table for the entire history.

1 world champion - Wilhelm STEINITZ

Championship period 1886 – 1894. Represented Austria.

Steinitz is the very first champion who has received official status. The title was won as a result of winning the match with Zukertort. Steinitz then defended his title twice. In 1889 in the first match by M. Chigorin and in 1892. - in the second. Between these two matches with the great Russian chess player, Steinitz beat I. Gunsberg.

Lost the title in 1894 in a match with Lasker.

Steinitz, like most chess players of the 19th century, was a supporter of combination play. However, his approach already clearly showed a strategic approach to the game and the match as a whole. In particular, Steinitz knew how to save his strength for the finishing push and often outplayed his opponent at the end of the match.

Last game of the championship title match against Zukertort

Steinitz, W — Zukertort, J

World Championship 1st USA (20) 03/29/1886

2 world champion - Emmanuel LASKER

Championship period 1894 – 1921. Represented Austria.

Second world champion. He is the record holder for the longest championship - 27 years.

After the victory over Steinitz in 1894. sat on the throne until 1921, when he lost the match to Capablanca.

Lasker is a chess player of a universal style. He had excellent positional sense and was especially strong in the endgame. Perhaps the first of the great chess players, he gave great value psychological aspects of the game. In addition to chess, he achieved fame as a mathematician.

“Championship” game of the match for the champion title against Steinitz

Lasker,E — Steinitz,W

World Championship 5th USA/CAN (19) 05/26/1894

3 world champion - Jose Raul CAPABLANCA

Championship period 1921 – 1927. Country: Cuba

Capablanca was a chess prodigy. Already in childhood he began to show quite masterful results. In 1911 “threw down the gauntlet” to Lasker” in order to take the champion title from him. The match, however, took place only in 1921. In Havana. As expected, Capablanca confidently defeated the fading champion.

Capablanca had the fame of a “chess machine.” His playing style was distinguished by filigree technique and precise calculation of options. Capablanca was a proponent of the "death draw" theory of chess, believing that if played correctly, games should end in a draw.

In this he was wrong, as the subsequent history of the development of chess showed. More and more layers were opening up in chess. There truly is no limit to imagination, creativity, and the psychology of influence.

In 1927 A historic match took place with Alexander Alekhine. Contrary to expectations of Capablanca's victory, Alekhine won the match.

The confrontation between the great chess players lasted another twenty years. But they failed to meet in the world championship match.

Winning game of the title match against Lasker:

Lasker,E - Capablanca,J

World Championship 12th Havana (14) 04/20/1921

4 world champion - Alexander ALEKHIN

The period of “reign” 1927 - 1935, then 1937 - 1946. Represented Russia and France.

First Russian world champion.

Alekhine was born in Russia. After various dramatic events of the First World War and the proletarian revolution, in 1921, already one of the leading chess players in the world, he finally left his homeland and settled in France.

In 1927 in the match for the world championship he defeated H.R. Capablanca. In 1935 on short time lost the title to Max Euwe. Then he took revenge. The only champion who passed away with the title of world champion.

Alekhine is a chess player of versatile talent. Analyst, researcher, writer. And of course a player of exceptional practical strength. Considered one of the strongest world champions of all time.

Final game of the championship match against Capablanca

Alekhine,A - Capablanca,J

World Championship 13th Buenos-Aires (34) 11/26/1927

5 world champion - Max EUWE

Championship period 1935 - 1937. Represented Holland.

The victory over Alekhine in the match was perceived as a sensation. Even Euwe’s compatriots did not expect this, not to mention Alekhine himself, who easily agreed to play on the “opponent’s field.” No matter what they say, Euwe’s victory was deserved and won in a fair fight.

Max Euwe was an intelligent and versatile person in life. He taught mathematics and had the title of professor. Later he served as the head of FIDE.

The turning point in the match with Alekhine for the championship title:

Alekhine,A — Euwe,M

World Championship 16th NLD (25) 12/01/1935

6 world champion - Mikhail BOTVINNIK

Championship periods: 1948 - 1957, then from 1958 to 1960, then from 1961 to 1963. Country - USSR.

The very first world champion from the USSR.

Mikhail Botvinnik learned chess at the age of twelve. Nevertheless, perseverance, perseverance and a “scientific” approach to chess did their job - by the age of 30, Botvinnik had risen to a leading position in Soviet and world chess.

Everyone was looking forward to the championship match with Alexander Alekhine. But the war got in the way. After the death of Alekhine in 1948, a world championship match tournament was held, which brought a landslide victory for Botvinnik.

The only champion who twice regained the title of champion, defeating Mikhail Tal and Vasily Smyslov in rematches.

Botvinnik was distinguished by the thoroughness of his preparation, taking into account psychological characteristics opponent, with a real champion character.

The game in the match against Bronstein, in which Botvinnik equalized the score and retained the “crown”

Botvinnik,M — Bronstein,D

World Championship 19th Moscow (23) 05/08/1951

7 world champion - Vasily SMYSLOV

World champion in 1957 - 1958 Country: USSR

Vasily Smyslov is a brilliant chess theorist and an outstanding practitioner. As a member of the USSR team, he won the Chess Olympiads ten times.

In 1957 won the qualifying round and got the opportunity to play a match with the world champion. The match with M. Botvinnik ended in victory for Smyslov. About a year later, Mikhail Botvinnik convincingly took revenge.

Decisive winning game in the match against Botvinnik

Smyslov,V — Botvinnik,M

World Championship 21th Moscow (20) 04/23/1957

8 world champion - Mikhail TAL

World champion in 1960 – 1961 USSR

Tal defeated Mikhail Botvinnik in the championship match at the age of 23. This is a record for that time.

Tal professed an attacking, combinational style of play. He did not take into account the victims on the altar of the attack. This manner greatly impressed the audience. Mikhail Tal, without exaggeration, was everyone's favorite.

The Almighty generously gifted Tal with talent. But it didn’t give me any health at all. Diseases became Mikhail Nekhemievich’s usual companion in everyday life. And the sports mode was not something sacred for him.

Nevertheless, the enormous talent and accumulated experience allowed Tal to last days to be one of the leading chess players in the world.

Decisive game in the title match against Botvinnik

Tal,M — Botvinnik,M

World Championship 23th Moscow (19) 05/03/1960

9 world champion - Tigran PETROSYAN

Championship period 1963 – 1969. USSR

Tigran Vartanovich Petrosyan won the right to challenge the championship title in 1962, when he won the Candidates Tournament. The duel with M. Botvinnik took place in 1963. brought victory to Petrosyan. Three years later he defended his title in a match with Boris Spassky. And yet, three years later, in 1969. lost the title to the latter.

Tigran Petrosyan was an outstanding defender and master of positional play. With incredible ingenuity, he defended difficult positions, launching a counterattack at the first opportunity. Petrosyan's tactical vigilance was also excellent.

Petrosyan is an outstanding theorist who generously shared his skills with young chess players. He carried out social work and was the editor-in-chief of “64” magazine. Candidate of Philosophical Sciences.

Winning game in the title match against Botvinnik:

Petrosian,T — Botvinnik,M

World Championship 25th Moscow (19) 05/11/1963

10th world champion - Boris SPASSKY

World champion in the period 1969 – 1972. Country: USSR, France

Boris Spassky back in 1955 won the world championship among youths. It took another fourteen long years to reach adult triumph. This day came in 1969. field of victory in the match over Petrosyan The second match in a row.

In 1972, the infamous match with Robert Fischer took place in which Boris Vasilyevich lost the crown to the outstanding American grandmaster.

Spassky is one of the most versatile chess players. In his best years, he did not have weak points and it was incredibly difficult to defeat him.

In the early eighties he moved to France. But he doesn’t lose touch with his homeland, he visits Russia and helps young chess players. There are several chess schools under the patronage of Spassky.

Winning game in the match against Petrosyan

Spassky,B — Petrosian,T

World Championship 27th Moscow (21) 06/11/1969

11th world champion - Robert FISCHER

Championship period 1972 - 1975 US Citizenship

Robert Fischer devoted himself entirely to chess. I even dropped out of school. At the age of fifteen he is already a grandmaster. The youngest in history at that time.

There was no state program development of chess and in this regard, Fischer had a difficult time. This is a man who made himself a world champion entirely on his own. Talent, efficiency, and exceptional dedication to chess are the hallmarks of Robert Fischer.

Fischer has achieved exceptional playing power and is one of the strongest champions.

He won the champion title in 1972, defeating all the contenders in the qualifying matches: Larsen, Taimanov (both dry -6:0!), Petrosyan. In the match for the title, he defeated Boris Spassky without any visible effort.

Oddly enough, the final game of the match with Spassky turned out to be the last in Fischer's official career. He refused the match with Karpov, despite lengthy negotiations. Fischer never played another game in official tournaments. This is one of the biggest mysteries in chess history, still unsolved today.

Final game of the match with Spassky:

Spassky,B — Fischer,R

World Championship 28th Reykjavik (21) 08/31/1972

12th world champion - Anatoly KARPOV

Period of “reign” 1975 – 1985. Country: USSR/Russia

Anatoly Karpov returned the championship title to our country. And although the match with Fischer did not take place, Karpov’s championship is not objectively questioned. At that time, he was the strongest grandmaster (not counting Fischer), who confidently won the qualifying round.

In the early 80s, the era of confrontation between Karpov and Kasparov began, who played several protracted matches between them. The last of them, in 1985, ended with the victory of Garry Kasparov.

Karpov is distinguished by his outstanding skill in positional maneuvering and pragmatic attitude to the game. In terms of the number of tournaments won, Anatoly Karpov far surpasses everyone else.

Anatoly Evgenievich is still in the ranks, periodically participating in major tournaments with success.

The famous winning game against Viktor Korchnoi with the score 5:5

Karpov,A - Kortschnoj,V

World Championship 29th Baguio City (32) 10/17/1978

13th world champion - Garry KASPAROV

World champion from 1985 to 2000. USSR/Russia

Garry Kasparov's star quickly rose on the chess horizon by the early 1980s.

In 1981, he became the youngest national champion. Then the era of confrontation with Karpov began. In 1985 Harry finally tried on the champion's crown.

For about 20 years, Kasparov had the highest rating among chess players, reaching 2850 points. The figure was astronomical for those times.

Kasparov’s independence of views also played a role in the emergence of disagreements with FIDE. As a result, Kasparov organized an alternative organization - PSA.

In recent years, Garry Kimovich has retreated from active chess.

Kasparov is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding chess players. He is distinguished by an active, even aggressive style of play, excellent opening preparation, and accurate calculation of options.

The winning game in the match against Karpov in 1985.

Karpov, A — Kasparov, G

World Championship 32th-KK2 Moscow (24) 09.11.1985

14th world champion - Vladimir KRAMNIK

World champion in the period 2000 – 2007. Represents Russia.

In 2006 Vladimir Kramnik won the match against Veselin Topalov and became the 14th world champion. This was not a surprise. Before competing for the top title, Kramnik won the world junior championships twice and became the PSA world champion. Thus both titles were combined.

About a year later, Kramnik lost the championship title to Anand.

Vladimir Kramnik's playing style is reminiscent of Karpov's. A chess player of exceptional strength, Kramnik is still one of the elite of world chess, consistently occupying a place in the top five.

Decisive game against Kasparov for the title of PCA champion

Kramnik,V — Kasparov,G

BGN World Chess Championship London (10) 10/24/2000

15th world champion - Viswanathan ANAND

Championship period 2007 – 2013 Country: India

First international grandmaster in India.

Vishy Anand became a world champion by winning the championship tournament in Mexico City in 2007.

Then he successfully defended his title three times. The 15th world champion is distinguished by exceptionally fast thinking and is a recognized master of rapid chess and blitz.

Known in chess as a true gentleman. Anand's attractive image combines the charm of Jose Ruhl Capablanca, the will to win of Botvinnik, and the energy and talent of Kasparov.

He resigned as world champion in 2013, losing a match to Carlsen.

Decisive game of the match against Kramnik:

Anand,V — Kramnik,V

WCh Bonn GER (6) 10/21/2008

16th world champion - Magnus CARLsen

World champion from 2013 to present. Norway

Magnus Carlsen is, without exaggeration, a chess prodigy. He became a grandmaster at the age of 13, breaking all imaginable records.

Magnus became the world champion in 2013, defeating Anand in a match. Has the highest rating in the history of chess.

Just recently, at the end 2016defended his title in a match against Sergey Karjakin. Contrary to expectations, the match was difficult for the champion. Karjakin was at his best. According to other estimates, Carlsen was not in in better shape. One way or another, Magnus won only in a tiebreaker.

Magnus Carlsen is a public person. Travels a lot, plays sports, acts in commercials. I think we will be hearing his name for a long time. Both in connection with chess and beyond it.

Last winning game against Anand in the 2013 championship match

Anand-Carlsen World Championship (9)

And a few more words about the champions

In conclusion, I will say that the titles of world chess champions exist, of course, not only among men and in classical chess. I think it’s unnecessary to overload the article, I’ll just list:

Women's World Champion: Hou Yifan, China

World blitz champion 2017: Sergey Karyakin, Russia

“Tournament” world champions during the period of “turmoil” 1993-2006. - in this table at the end.

We will discuss these topics in more detail in the following articles.

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Every few years a new world chess champion appears. We have collected all the champions in one place and made a short description of each.

This article contains full list all current world chess champions. If the article is not relevant, it means that we have not yet managed to add new information. Please write in the comments. Here is a list for faster navigation:

Chess has been played for over 125 years. During this long time, the conditions of the game changed many times, and sometimes even the game. Therefore, it is quite natural that the criteria for becoming world chess champions in different eras also differed. For example, during Steinitz’s time, tournaments were held simultaneously in several cities. Or, for example, the strongest chess player might not agree to accept a challenge to a chess match from a potential new champion if, in his opinion, the opponent does not yet have enough skills to take over the title.

Regarding today, then the conditions and criteria for including participants in the fight for the championship title have changed in many ways. Various qualifying tournaments are held in several stages, after which the two strongest players meet and compete with each other. Well, now let’s look at the list of world chess champions and short information about each of them about who went through what on the way to the championship.

1 world chess champion

The first chess champion - Wilhelm Steinitz. Place of birth: Prague, year: 1836. Steinitz won this title in 1886, after which he won the game against his main rival, I. Zukertort. Steinitz created a fundamentally new positional game of chess, and also made his own great contribution to the development of this area.

V. Steinitz began playing at the age of twelve, but the young man did not have the opportunity to show his talent. Wilhelm's first success in chess was a victory over his father's constant playing partner, a rabbi revered by many. The future champion began to study chess seriously only after reaching the age of 23 after graduating from the Polytechnic Institute in Vienna.

2 world chess champion

The second world chess champion was Emanuel Lasker. He was born in Poland in 1868 and won the title of champion in 1894. Lasker was the best player on the entire planet for 27 years. In addition, he is the author numerous books dedicated to chess.

E. Lasker adopted his love for this amazing game from his older brother Berthold Lasker, starting to play at the age of 12. However, the future chess king began to play truly, professionally only during his first year of university. Most strengths The endgame and positional sense were considered a chess player's skill. During his career as a chess player, he repeatedly gave up the game for several years to study philosophy and mathematics.

He became the world champion based on the results of a match that took place over a long period (from mid-March to the end of May) in 1894 in Philadelphia, Montreal and New York, where, after playing 19 games, he defeated the first champion, Steinitz.

3 world chess champion

The third chess champion in the world became Jose Raul Capablanca, born in Cuba in 1888. He won his title by defeating Emanuel Lasker in a match held in 1921. He was often spoken of as an outstanding chess machine, since Capablanca was distinguished by his brilliant chess technique. The third champion learned to play at the age of four simply by watching his father play.

4 world chess champion

The fourth world chess champion was Alexander Alekhine, born in 1892. Alekhine learned the rules of the game and basic moves at the age of seven thanks to his mother and older brother. A. Alekhine was the greatest master combinations and considered chess an art. The chess player achieved his first successes during the St. Petersburg tournament in 1909, it was then, at the age of sixteen, that a high school student from Moscow won and was awarded the title of maestro.

A little later, the chess player begins to take part in professional tournaments at a higher level. Alekhine won the match for the world championship title against Capablanca in 1927 (Buenos Aires). After that, he defended his title two more times, holding it until his death.

5 world chess champion

The fifth world chess champion was Max Euwe, born in 1901 in Amsterdam. He learned the basics of the game at the age of 4, began performing in various amateur tournaments - at the age of twelve he became a member of the chess club in Amsterdam. He started playing professionally at the age of 18. Euwe won the championship match against Alekhine in 1935, but after two years he again lost the championship title to Alekhine.

6 world chess champion

The sixth champion was Mikhail Botvinnik, born in 1911. He first became acquainted with the game at the age of 12, after which he began studying from books. Numerous victories in tournaments and championships of the USSR put the young chess player among the best players in the country and soon showed that M. Botvinnik was ready to challenge the title of world champion.

The match tournament for the championship title took place in 1948 (The Hague-Moscow), and as a result, Botvinnik became the winner, ahead of the chess player who took second place by 3 points. During the tournament, he confidently beat all his opponents. For his achievements in the chess field, Botvinnik was awarded numerous orders.

7 world chess champion

A Soviet chess player also became the seventh champion Vasily Smyslov. He learned the rules of the game from his father at the age of six. Smyslov met Botvinnik 3 times during the world championship matches. Smyslov received the title of the strongest chess player on the planet in 1957, but a year later he lost to Botvinnik in a rematch.

Smyslov was the winner large quantity World Olympiads, European team championships, as well as one world championship.

8 world chess champion

The eighth world chess champion was Mikhail Tal, who was born in 1936 in Riga. Ever since early childhood Tal showed genius in many ways - at the age of three he could read well, at the age of 5 he could multiply three-digit numbers, had an amazing memory, and after finishing the first grade he went straight to the third. There were many such achievements in Tal's childhood.

Mikhail Tal learned to play chess at the age of 10, already at 16 he became the champion of Latvia, at the age of 21 - the champion of the USSR. Tal became the youngest world champion, winning the title in 1960 from Botvinnik. Distinctive features Tal's game was aggressive and constant willingness to take risks, which allowed him to achieve victory, despite the fact that soon, a year later, he lost again.

9 world chess champion

Tigran Petrosyan- ninth world chess champion. He was born in 1929 in Georgia. The boy learned to play at the age of 11, and at the age of 16 he became the Georgian chess champion. The chess player begins to play professionally after moving to Moscow.

Petrosyan won his victory over M. Botvinnik in 1963; he held his championship title for a period that lasted 6 years. For his achievements in chess, Petrosyan was awarded numerous medals and orders.

10th world chess champion

Boris Spassky- tenth world chess champion. Spassky learned the basics of the game at the age of 5. For the first time he became a participant in the championship Soviet Union in 1955, during the same period he was awarded the title of grandmaster (at the age of 17). Thus, the chess player at that time became the youngest grandmaster in the entire chess history. Spassky won the competition for the championship of the planet over Petrosyan in 1969 and held the title of tenth champion for 3 years.

11th world chess champion

Received the title of eleventh world chess champion Robert James Fisher, considered a child prodigy and genius. He learned to play at the age of six. By the age of twelve, Fischer becomes the American champion, and at the age of 15, an international grandmaster. No one before him in this early age did not achieve such high results. Fischer became world champion in 1972, after defeating B. Spassky.

12th world chess champion

Anatoly Karpov- Twelfth world chess champion. The chess player, born in 1951, learned to play when he was only 4 years old. He became a strong master at the age of 15, at the age of 18 the chess player became a champion in a youth tournament, and received the title of grandmaster at 19. Until Karpov became the world chess champion, he was the winner of many international competitions. He received the title of 12th world champion in 1975. Anatoly Karpov significantly surpassed other famous chess players in history in the number of victories he won in numerous international tournaments, matches and competitions.

13th world chess champion

Famous chess player in the USSR and Russia Garry Kasparov is the thirteenth world chess champion. Place of birth: Baku, year: 1963. At the age of thirteen, he became the national champion in a youth tournament (in which 18-year-old chess players participated). At the age of 17, Kasparov received the title of grandmaster. The confrontation between the 12th and 13th champions, Karpov and Kasparov, was one of the most powerful in the entire chess history. In total, these two great chess players played as many as 5 matches for the world title. As a result, according to the results of the match, which lasted from September 1 to November 10, 1985, the chess player defeated Karpov with a score of 13:11, which brought him the title of the 13th world chess champion.

14th world chess champion

Vladimir Kramnik is the fourteenth world chess champion. He was born in 1975 in the city of Tuapse (Krasnodar Territory). In 1991, the chess player became the world champion in the youth tournament. At the end of the 90s, the 13th world champion Kasparov himself chose his opponent in the person of Kramnik, who at that time was second in the rankings. Their chess match took place in 2000, as a result of which Kramnik won and received the title of the 14th champion. After that, in 2004 and 2006, he defended his title twice, defeating Peter Leko and Veselin Topalov.

15th world chess champion

Viswanathan Anand– a native of India, from 2007 to 2013 he was the world chess champion, becoming the fifteenth holder of this title. Anand's mother taught him to play chess at the age of six, and since then the boy has shown good results in this sport. Already at the age of fourteen, Anand received the title of international master, becoming the youngest holder of the latter in India.

Rapidly moving up the ladder of chess achievements, Viswanathan Anand won the title of World Chess Champion in 2007. The tournament took place in Mexico. In subsequent years (2008, 2010 and 2012), the chess player confirmed his title. On at the moment Anand is the only champion in three different styles games: knockout system, round-robin tournament and head-to-head matches with competitors.

16th world chess champion

Magnus Carlsen- Norwegian, sixteenth (and currently last) world chess champion. He won the world title in 2013, fighting against the fifteenth world champion, Viswanathan Anand. The young champion began playing chess at the age of five with his father, and became seriously interested in the game at eight, starting to study specialized literature and practice the game for 2-3 hours a day.

Possessing extraordinary abilities, Magnus quickly developed professional skills. Experts predicted Magnus the champion title back in 2004. World-class grandmasters note that Magnus is not a unique strategist, but his ability to find solutions where others would agree to a draw, and to subtly sense the psychology of his opponent is amazing.

So far, Magnus Carlsen remains the first and only champion in three categories simultaneously: classic game, blitz and rapid.

The 2018 World Chess Championship is the 56th edition of the championship among chess players the highest level, during which the best grandmaster on the planet will be determined. Two people will take part in the competition: the current world champion and the winner of the candidates tournament. Everything is clear with the first participant - this is Magnus Carlsen. But the name of the second opponent will become known only in March 2018, when the Candidates Tournament will take place. Dozens of the most talented players on the planet are vying for the vacant position, such as Boris Gelfand, Sergey Karyakin, Viswanathan Anand and Peter Svidler. So the fight for a ticket to the 2018 World Cup promises to be hot!

Tournament format

Strictly speaking, it's just a very long chess match. The match involves up to 12 games. Therefore, the meeting of grandmasters often takes many days. For example, the last final match between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin lasted from November 11 to November 30.

Two players take part in the competition: the current holder of the chess crown and the winner of the Candidates Tournament. The Candidates Championship takes place several months before the World Cup. The 8 best athletes in the world are selected for it: leaders of the FIDE rating, finalists of last year's important competitions, vice-champion of the last world championship and wild card holder.

Where and when will the 2018 World Chess Championship take place?

The match for the chess crown will take place November 7 – 28, 2018. A few months before it, a candidates tournament will be organized, at which the second participant in the 2018 World Cup will be determined. This championship is scheduled for March 8–29, 2018. All dates are purely approximate. Therefore, it is worth waiting for the official release from officials of the International Chess Federation.

But the venue is still unclear. The tournament organizers are eager to hold the competition in one of the Asian countries. It is assumed that China, Japan, Singapore or Hong Kong could take on the role of host country.

Participants of the 2018 World Chess Championship

One thing is known so far character upcoming fight. This is the winner of the last World Cup, Norwegian Magnus Carlsen. His opponent will be one of the 8 participants in the candidates tournament, which the following athletes will be able to qualify for:

• vice-champion of the 2016 World Cup;
• 2 finalists of the FIDE Cup 2017;
• 2 winners of the FIDE Grand Prix 2017;
• 2 athletes with the most high rating FIDE (for 2017);
• holder of a wild-card (issued by the tournament organizers).

The vice-champion of the World Cup is known. This is Sergey Karyakin. This title gives a Russian the right to immediately qualify for the Candidates Championship.

As for the World Chess Cup, it will take place from September 1 to 25, 2017 in the Georgian city of Batumi. 128 athletes will take part in it. But only the finalists will receive the coveted tickets.

Another competition, the Grand Prix, will be held from February 17 to November 26, 2017. The competition will be organized in 4 stages:

• February 17 – 28 (Sharjah, UAE);
• May 11 – 22 (Moscow, Russia);
• July 5 – 16 (Geneva, Switzerland);
• November 15 – 26 (Palma de Mallorca, Spain).

Places in the Candidates' Tournament will be given to the 2 players who score the most points at the end of the Grand Prix.

The holders of 2 more tickets will be the athletes with the highest rating of the International Chess Federation. Last time they were the Dutchman Anish Giri and the Bulgarian Veselin Topalov.

And finally, another “ticket” will be held by the grandmaster, who will be invited by the organizers of the Candidates Tournament. In 2015, such a lucky winner was the athlete from Armenia Levon Aronyan.

Winner of the 2018 World Chess Championship

The modern history of the World Cup began in 2006, when the title of absolute champion was challenged by Russian Vladimir Kramnik and Bulgarian Veselin Topalov. A native of the Krasnodar region celebrated the victory. However, since then, domestic athletes have no longer become triumphants of the world championship, as evidenced by the statistics of the last winners of the world championship:

• 2016 – Magnus Carlsen;
• 2014 – Magnus Carlsen;
• 2013 – Viswanathan Anand;
• 2012 – Viswanathan Anand;
• 2000 – Viswanathan Anand;
• 2008 – Viswanathan Anand;
• 2007 – Viswanathan Anand.

The last drawing of the tournament, held in 2016, almost broke the losing streak for Russian grandmasters. After all, for the first time since 2008, a domestic athlete, Sergey Karyakin, took part in the championship. Fans of the Russian chess school hoped that for once they would be able to interrupt the Hindu-Norwegian rule! But fortune smiled on the Scandinavian again, although Sergey Karjakin was very close to victory.

The upcoming championship will be the third attempt in a row to dethrone the 26-year-old Norwegian prodigy. Let's hope that the troublemaker this time will definitely be a Russian!

Afterword

Kasparov, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Karpov, Tal, Fischer, Alekhine - these are the names with which chess is associated with the average person. The last world championship, where two of the most talented young grandmasters of the chess world, Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin, met, once again made millions of people pay attention to this seemingly elite look sports Let's hope that the upcoming 2018 World Cup will receive as much attention from spectators and the press as the last world championship!