Greatest Chess Players of All Time
Alexander Alekhine or Vladimir Kramnik
Pick Your Favorite
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Your GOAT List
Why This Battle Matters
Was Alekhine's unrestrained creativity on the chessboard more revolutionary than Kramnik’s deep strategic foresight that dethroned an era? In this clash of chess titans from different epochs, the match isn't just about who checkmates better—it’s a dialogue between audacity and analysis. Alekhine, with his daring, swashbuckling attacks, contrasts sharply against Kramnik, whose calculated defenses redefined modern chess strategies. As they face off, what's really at stake is our allegiance—is the pen mightier than the sword, or does the shield, in fact, claim victory? Your favorite reflects your playstyle: do you value bold risks or meticulous planning?
🔥 Fan Takes
How Fans Are Voting
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer Alexander Alekhine over Vladimir Kramnik when it comes to the greatest Chess Players of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Alexander Alekhine 60.0% of the time over Vladimir Kramnik.
Across all battles:
Alexander Alekhine win rate: 34.5%
Vladimir Kramnik win rate: 22.9%
Fan FAQs
Who's the #1 contender in the Greatest Chess Players of All Time league?
Garry Kasparov holds the top spot in the Greatest Chess Players of All Time league. You can see how the rankings stack up on the GOAT List.
Why is this matchup so close?
Even though Alekhine is ahead, the 20% margin shows that Kramnik's strategic depth and modern contributions to chess theory also have a strong following. It reflects a split in fan preference between classical daring and contemporary precision in chess.
Who is better: Alexander Alekhine or Vladimir Kramnik?
In the Greatest Chess Players of All Time league on GoatWars, Alekhine is currently leading Kramnik. Fans seem to lean towards Alekhine's aggressive and imaginative style of play, which might be swaying the votes.