The Classical Era (1886–1946)

1

Wilhelm Steinitz — Austria/United States

Father of modern chess and founder of positional theory. He taught that an attack can succeed only if it is justified by a real positional advantage. His writings revolutionised the understanding of the game.

1886–1894
2

Emanuel Lasker — Germany

The longest-reigning undefeated world champion (27 years). A mathematician and philosopher, Lasker understood his opponent's psychology and played against the opponent as much as against the position. His reign from 1894 to 1921 remains an absolute record.

1894–1921
3

José Raúl Capablanca — Cuba

The “Mozart of chess”. Capablanca had an incomparable endgame technique and a crystal-clear vision of the game. His mastery of simple endgames remains a model for teaching. His writings, such as Chess Fundamentals (1921), are indispensable.

1921–1927
4

Alexander Alekhine — France/Russia

A brilliant combinational player, he regained his title in 1937 after losing it in 1935 to the Dutchman Max Euwe (5th world champion, 1935–1937) — the first champion to take back the crown. His style of direct attack and his long-range combinations still fascinate modern analysts.

1927–1935, 1937–1946
5

Max Euwe — Netherlands

A mathematics teacher and amateur player, Euwe caused a sensation in 1935 by beating Alexander Alekhine (15½–14½) in a thirty-game match played in several Dutch cities. He lost the rematch in 1937, clearly, but his short reign remains a symbol: the world crown is not reserved for professionals. A logical player, very well prepared in the openings, he left an abundant body of theoretical work. He went on to preside over FIDE from 1970 to 1978 and played a key role in organising the 1972 Spassky–Fischer match.

1935–1937

The Soviet Era (1948–1972)

After Alekhine's death in 1946, FIDE organised a tournament in 1948 to name the new champion. The USSR dominated world chess for a quarter of a century, imposing a scientific and collective approach to preparation.

6

Mikhail Botvinnik — USSR

The “Patriarch of Soviet chess”. An engineer by training, Botvinnik applied a scientific method to chess: systematic opening analysis, physical preparation, psychological preparation. He lost and regained his title twice.

1948–1957, 1958–1960, 1961–1963
7

Vassily Smyslov — USSR

Known for his impeccable technique and harmonious style. Smyslov is above all famous for his mastery of endgames. An accomplished baritone who nearly pursued a career in opera (an audition at the Bolshoi in 1950), he brought an artistic dimension to technical play.

1957–1958
8

Mikhail Tal — USSR (Latvia)

The “Magician from Riga”. Tal was the most spectacular of all the champions: his piece sacrifices seemed to defy all rational analysis. His reign was brief but his influence on creative play is eternal. “Tal's sacrifices are incorrect. But try refuting them in a game!”

1960–1961
9

Tigran Petrosian — USSR (Armenia)

“Iron Tigran”. Petrosian raised the exchange sacrifice and prophylactic defence to an art. He anticipated his opponents' combinations before they were even possible.

1963–1969
10

Boris Spassky — USSR

A universal champion, at ease in every style. His reign is forever associated with the legendary final against Fischer in 1972 — the “Match of the Century” that put chess on the front pages of the world.

1969–1972

The American Interlude: Bobby Fischer (1972–1975)

11

Robert James Fischer — United States

The only world champion born in the United States. Fischer beat Spassky 12½–8½ in 1972 in the “Match of the Century” in Reykjavik, at the height of the Cold War. His play had a striking technical perfection. He gave up his title in 1975 without defending it, leaving a void that has never been filled. His personal life, his controversial statements and his long years of withdrawal (he died in Iceland in 2008) remain a fascinating mystery.

1972–1975

The Duel of the Century: Karpov vs Kasparov (1975–2000)

12

Anatoly Karpov — USSR/Russia

Champion by Fischer's forfeit in 1975, Karpov quickly established himself as one of the greats. An extremely precise positional style and an excellent understanding of pawn structures. His rivalry with Kasparov — five matches between 1984 and 1990 — is the longest and most gripping in history.

1975–1985
13

Garry Kasparov — USSR/Russia

Regarded by most experts as the greatest player of all time. Kasparov combined revolutionary opening preparation, a monumental capacity for attack and deep strategic understanding. His match against Deep Blue in 1997 remains a worldwide cultural symbol. He defended his title for 15 years, then handed it over to Kramnik in 2000. His duel Kasparov vs Deep Blue made history in artificial intelligence.

1985–2000

The Modern Era (2000–Today)

14

Vladimir Kramnik — Russia

A specialist in the Berlin Defence with Black — an opening he brought back into fashion to neutralise Kasparov's play. Kramnik is a positional player of exceptional solidity. He unified the two world titles (FIDE and classical) in 2006.

2000–2007
15

Viswanathan Anand — India

The first world champion who was neither European nor American. Anand is a universal player with exceptional speed of calculation — his nickname is the “Tiger of Madras”. He won five world titles in different formats. His reign contributed to the rise of chess in South Asia.

2007–2013
16

Magnus Carlsen — Norway

The most dominant champion since Kasparov. A peak Elo of 2882 (an all-time record), unbeaten at classical chess for years. His style is universal: he seeks not beauty but results. His decision, announced in 2022, not to defend his title in 2023 reopened the challenger cycle.

2013–2023
17

Ding Liren — China

World champion in 2023, the first Chinese player to hold the title. His victory over Nepomniachtchi in the rapid tiebreak, after 14 breathless classical games (7–7), was the culmination of years of work. His style blends positional precision with a rare defensive endurance. In December 2024, in Singapore, he handed the crown to India's Gukesh Dommaraju (18), the 18th world champion and the youngest undisputed champion in history, who defends his title against Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva in late 2026.

2023–2024
18

Gukesh Dommaraju — India

Winner of the Toronto Candidates Tournament in April 2024, Gukesh faced Ding Liren in Singapore in November–December 2024. He won 7½–6½ by taking the fourteenth and final classical game, and at 18 became the youngest world champion in history, breaking Kasparov's record (22). The second Indian to be crowned after Anand, he stands out for his deep calculation, meticulous preparation and remarkable composure for his age. He defends his crown against the Uzbek Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva, from 22 November to 13 December 2026, over fourteen classical games.

Since 2024

What About Levon Aronian?

Levon Aronian never became world champion, but he is often cited as the most talented player never to have won the title. An Armenian who became an American citizen, his creative style and tactical brilliance make him one of the public's best-loved players. His Elo reached 2830, ranking him among the world elite for more than 15 years (world number 2 at his peak).

The Summary Table

#ChampionNationalityReignLength
1Wilhelm SteinitzAUT/USA1886–18948 years
2Emanuel LaskerGER1894–192127 years
3José Raúl CapablancaCUB1921–19276 years
4Alexander AlekhineFRA/RUS1927–46*17 years
5Max EuweNED1935–19372 years
6Mikhail BotvinnikURS1948–63*13 years
7Vassily SmyslovURS1957–19581 year
8Mikhail TalURS1960–19611 year
9Tigran PetrosianURS1963–19696 years
10Boris SpasskyURS1969–19723 years
11Robert James FischerUSA1972–19753 years
12Anatoly KarpovURS/RUS1975–198510 years
13Garry KasparovURS/RUS1985–200015 years
14Vladimir KramnikRUS2000–20077 years
15Viswanathan AnandIND2007–20136 years
16Magnus CarlsenNOR2013–202310 years
17Ding LirenCHN2023–20241 year
18Gukesh DommarajuIND2024–ongoing

Follow the Modern Champions

Discover detailed portraits of today's best chess players and get kitted out to play like them with competition chess equipment.

Firouzja, the future champion →