1: Garry Kasparov
Garry tops our list of Greatest chess player in the world. He was the most dominating force in chess for almost 20 years, an undisputed number one who broke numerous records. From 1998 to 2001 he won 10 consecutive supertournaments. Linares (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002), Wijk Aan Zee (1999, 2000, 2001), Sarajevo (1999, 2000) and Astana (2001). He won Linares a record 8 times. In the Olympiads he has won 5 individual gold medals, and Russia won the Chess Olympiad all 8 times when Kasparov played for the team.
Garry Became the youngest ever world champion at the age of 22. He showed his domination in Chess by being World Champion for 15 years, the longest reign since the 1930’s. This maestro also holds the all time record rating in the official ratings list of 2851 for over a decade until Magnus Carlsen broke it in 2013.
The Russian holds the record for most consecutive professional tournament victories, placing first or equal first in 15 individual tournaments for a 9 year period from 1981 to 1990. However, records and streaks are meant to be broken and it was Vasily Ivanchuk who broke the streak at Linares 1991, where Kasparov was placed 2nd, half a point behind him. The Chess maestro also have record 11 Chess oscars to his name.
Kasparov is a very talented writer and he also managed to write the best chess book ever – the My great predecessors series. He is considered to revolutionize the opening preparation game and moved this aspect of chess professionalism to a whole new level.
