Every official World Chess Champion from Wilhelm Steinitz (1886) to the present day.
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Dashed left edge = started before this timeline ·
Dashed right edge = still ongoing
World Chess Champions 17
1836 – 1900Wilhelm SteinitzFirst official World Chess ChampionWilhelm Steinitz revolutionized positional chess strategy and became the first official World Chess Champion in 1886. His scientific approach to the game laid the foundations for modern chess theory.
1868 – 1941Emanuel LaskerLongest reigning World Chess ChampionEmanuel Lasker held the World Chess Championship for 27 years from 1894 to 1921, the longest reign in chess history. He combined psychology, positional play and tactical skill.
1888 – 1942José Raúl CapablancaCuban chess genius and World ChampionJosé Raúl Capablanca was World Chess Champion from 1921 to 1927 and became famous for his exceptional endgame skill and intuitive positional play.
1892 – 1946Alexander AlekhineWorld Chess Champion and attacking masterAlexander Alekhine was World Chess Champion from 1927 to 1935 and again from 1937 until his death. He was renowned for complex tactical combinations and brilliant attacking games.
1901 – 1981Max EuweDutch World Chess ChampionMax Euwe became World Chess Champion in 1935 after defeating Alexander Alekhine and later served as president of FIDE.
1911 – 1995Mikhail BotvinnikSoviet World Chess ChampionMikhail Botvinnik became World Chess Champion and founded the Soviet chess school. He trained future champions and emphasized scientific preparation.
1921 – 2010Vasily SmyslovWorld Chess Champion and endgame expertVasily Smyslov was World Champion from 1957 to 1958 and became known for harmonious positional play and exceptional endgame technique.
1929 – 1984Tigran PetrosianDefensive World Chess ChampionTigran Petrosian was World Champion from 1963 to 1969 and became famous for exceptional defensive skill and prophylactic strategy.
1936 – 1992Mikhail TalMagician of RigaMikhail Tal became World Champion in 1960 and gained legendary status for sacrificial attacks and imaginative tactical play.
1937 – 2025Boris SpasskySoviet World Chess ChampionBoris Spassky was World Champion from 1969 to 1972 and became internationally famous through his match against Bobby Fischer.
1943 – 2008Bobby FischerAmerican World Chess ChampionBobby Fischer became World Champion in 1972 after defeating Boris Spassky in the famous Cold War match in Reykjavik. He dramatically increased global interest in chess.
1951 – presentAnatoly KarpovPositional World Chess ChampionAnatoly Karpov dominated world chess during the 1970s and 1980s through precise positional style and strategic mastery.
1963 – presentGarry KasparovFormer World Chess ChampionGarry Kasparov became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in 1985 and is widely considered one of the greatest chess players of all time.
1969 – presentViswanathan AnandIndian World Chess ChampionViswanathan Anand became India's first World Chess Champion and helped popularize chess throughout Asia.
1975 – presentVladimir KramnikClassical World Chess ChampionVladimir Kramnik defeated Garry Kasparov in 2000 and became known for deep opening preparation and positional understanding.
1990 – presentMagnus CarlsenNorwegian chess superstarMagnus Carlsen became World Chess Champion in 2013 and dominated world rankings for more than a decade with exceptional versatility and endgame skill.
1992 – presentDing LirenChinese World Chess ChampionDing Liren became China's first undisputed World Chess Champion in 2023 and one of the leading players of the modern era.