Historical Chess World Champions

From 1886 to 1972, there were 10 World Chess Champions, and this overview includes introductions to each champion and the notable matches they played in World Championship tournaments. This will provide insight into the past chess champions and their approaches to chess openings, tactics, and more.

Chess Champions Table

01. Wilhelm Steinitz | First Chess World Champion (1886-94)
02. Grandmaster Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921)
03. GM Jose Raul Capablanca (1921-1927)
04. GM Alexander Alekhine (1927-35,1937-46)
05. GM Max Euwe (1935-1937)
06. GM Mikhail Botvinnik (1948-57, 1958-60, 1961-1963)
07. GM Vasily Smyslov (1957-1958)
08. GM Mikhail Tal (1960-1961)
09. GM Tigran Petrosian (1963-1969)
10. GM Boris Spassky (1969-1972)

Wilhelm Steinitz | First Chess World Champion (1886-94)

Wilhelm Steinitz / Image Source: Wikimedia

Wilhelm Steinitz, a Bohemian-Austrian chess player, became the first World Chess Champion by defeating Johannes Zukertort in the inaugural championship in 1886. He is recognized as the father of positional chess.

World Chess Championship -1886 | Round 01

Johannes Zukertort vs Wilhelm Steinitz | Result 0 - 1

Grandmaster Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921)

GM Emanuel Lasker

GM Emanuel Lasker was a German chess player, mathematician, and philosopher. He became World Chess Champion in 1894 by defeating Wilhelm Steinitz and holds the record as the longest-reigning champion from 1894 to 1921.

World Chess Championship -1894 | Round 01

Emanuel Lasker vs Wilhelm Steinitz | Result 1 – 0

GM Jose Raul Capablanca (1921-1927)

GM Jose Raul Capablanca

GM Jose Capablanca was a Cuban chess player who became the World Chess Champion by defeating Emanuel Lasker in the 1921 Championship. He was known for his exceptional speed in playing both standard games and endgames.

World Chess Championship -1921 | Round 14 (Last Game)

Emanuel Lasker vs Jose Raul Capablanca | Result 0 – 1

GM Alexander Alekhine (1927-35,1937-46)

GM Alexander Alekhine / Image Source: George Grantham Bain Collection, Wikimedia

GM Alexander Alekhine was a Russian and French chess player who became world champion in 1927 by defeating Jose Raul Capablanca. He lost the title to Max Euwe in 1935 but reclaimed it in 1937. Alekhine, who died in 1946, remains the only world chess champion to pass away while still holding the title. He was renowned for his exceptional offensive chess skills.

World Chess Championship -1927 | Round 34 (Last Game)

Alexander Alekhine vs Jose Raul Capablanca | Result 1 – 0

GM Max Euwe (1935-1937)

GM Max Euwe / Image Source: Aiedrez Eureka

GM Max Euwe was a Dutch chess player, mathematician, author, and chess administrator. He became the World Chess Champion in 1935 by defeating Alexander Alekhine and held the position of President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) from 1970 to 1978.

World Chess Championship -1935 | Round 02

Max Euwe vs Alexander Alekhine | Result 1 – 0

GM Mikhail Botvinnik (1948-57, 1958-60, 1961-1963)

GM Mikhail Botvinnik

GM Mikhail Botvinnik, a Soviet Russian, became a five-time World Chess Champion, notably without winning a tournament to defend his title. Following Alexander Alekhine's death in 1946, he was the first world chess champion to win a five-player tournament. In addition to his chess accomplishments, Botvinnik was an electrical engineer and computer scientist, pioneering advancements in computer chess.

World Chess Championship -1951 | Round 23

Mikhail Botvinnik vs David Bronstein | Result 1 – 0

GM Vasily Smyslov (1957-1958)

GM Vasily Smyslov / Image Source: Koen Suyk/ Anefo, Wikimedia

GM Vasily Smyslov, the Russian chess grandmaster, won the chess championship in 1957 by defeating GM Mikhail Botvinnik.

World Chess Championship -1957 | Round 01

Mikhail Botvinnik vs Vasily Smyslov | Result 0 – 1

GM Mikhail Tal (1960-1961)

GM Mikhail Tal

In 1946, GM Mikhail Tal defeated GM Mikhail Botvinnik to become the World Chess Champion at just 23, making him the youngest champion at the time. He passed away at 55 from kidney disease but remained an accomplished chess player.

World Chess Championship -1960 | Round 07

Mikhail Tal vs Mikhail Botvinnik | Result 1 – 0

GM Tigran Petrosian (1963-1969)

GM Tigran Petrosian / Image Source: Harry Pot/ Anefo, Wikimedia

Tigran Petrosian, an Armenian chess grandmaster, became the World Chess Champion in 1963 by defeating GM Mikhail Botvinnik. Nicknamed the "Iron Tiger," he held the title from 1963 to 1969, known for his formidable defensive style.

World Chess Championship -1963 | Round 05

Tigran Petrosian vs Mikhail Botvinnik | Result 1 – 0

GM Boris Spassky (1969-1972)

GM Boris Spassky

In 1966, he lost to Russian chess grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, but in 1969, he won and became the world chess champion.

World Chess Championship -1969 | Round 21

Boris Spassky (2690) vs Tigran Petrosian (2650) | Result 1 – 0

Read the second part of this blog post >> Modern Chess World Champions

The article is originally published in Sinhala language for chess players in Sri Lanka.

• https://chesssaviya.lk/blog/chess-world-champions-part-01/

Author: H.W.I.Chamiranga @Chess Saviya

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