The Official GOAT List: Ranking the Greatest Chess Players of All Time
Who’s the greatest chess player of all time? You won’t find the answer in dusty rankings or cold algorithms—you’ll find it here, where fans decide the ultimate champion one head-to-head battle at a time.
From Fischer’s brilliance to Carlsen’s dominance, every vote reshapes the leaderboard. Whether you back Capablanca’s classical mastery, Kasparov’s explosive genius, or Carlsen’s modern reign, every matchup sparks a new debate—and no rivalry is safe.
Make your moves, pick your legends, and help crown the true GOAT of chess history.
1. BOBBY FISCHER
Bobby Fischer is currently the #1 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 72.7% head-to-head battles.
2. GARRY KASPAROV
Garry Kasparov is currently the #2 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 72.5% head-to-head battles.
3. MAGNUS CARLSEN
Magnus Carlsen is currently the #3 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 69.0% head-to-head battles.
4. JOSE RAUL CAPABLANCA
Jose Raul Capablanca is currently the #4 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 53.3% head-to-head battles.
5. ALEXANDER ALEKHINE
Alexander Alekhine is currently the #5 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 37.1% head-to-head battles.
6. VLADIMIR KRAMNIK
Vladimir Kramnik is currently the #6 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 35.5% head-to-head battles.
7. MIKHAIL BOTVINNIK
Mikhail Botvinnik is currently the #7 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 28.1% head-to-head battles.
T8. MIKHAIL TAL
Mikhail Tal is currently tied for the #8 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 25.8% head-to-head battles.
T8. VISWANATHAN ANAND
Viswanathan Anand is currently tied for the #8 Greatest Chess Players of All Time winning 25.8% head-to-head battles.
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