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A classic — an indispensable step!

"triumphed with a score of 12½–8½" * After starting 0-2 and not even needing 24 games as scheduled.
To me Kasparov > Carlsen > Fischer > Capablanca
Fischer was stellar in 1971-1972 with his 6-0 matches against Taimanov and Larsen and his win over previous world champion Petrosian. Then he quit.

Kasparov dominated a longer period in classical super tournaments like Linares and he defended his title successfully several times.

Carlsen is the strongest, but rather a primus inter pares in classical: drew classical matches with Karjakin and Caruana to win in rapid tie breaks.

Capablanca was the true genius.
'I have known many chess players, but among them there has been only one genius - Capablanca!' - Lasker

"triumphed with a score of 12½–8½" * After starting 0-2 and not even needing 24 games as scheduled. To me Kasparov > Carlsen > Fischer > Capablanca Fischer was stellar in 1971-1972 with his 6-0 matches against Taimanov and Larsen and his win over previous world champion Petrosian. Then he quit. Kasparov dominated a longer period in classical super tournaments like Linares and he defended his title successfully several times. Carlsen is the strongest, but rather a primus inter pares in classical: drew classical matches with Karjakin and Caruana to win in rapid tie breaks. Capablanca was the true genius. 'I have known many chess players, but among them there has been only one genius - Capablanca!' - Lasker

Nice annotations. @Neimar24

@tpr said in #2:

To me Kasparov > Carlsen > Fischer > Capablanca

I think Karpov would be between Carlsen and Fischer, if the list is about the top 4 as opposed to just judging those players. He had the third highest amount of time as number one, and was still number two by a large margin after that.

Garry Kasparov 255 months
Magnus Carlsen 184 months
Anatoly Karpov 102 months

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FIDE_chess_world_number_ones

Nice annotations. @Neimar24 @tpr said in #2: > To me Kasparov > Carlsen > Fischer > Capablanca I think Karpov would be between Carlsen and Fischer, if the list is about the top 4 as opposed to just judging those players. He had the third highest amount of time as number one, and was still number two by a large margin after that. Garry Kasparov 255 months Magnus Carlsen 184 months Anatoly Karpov 102 months https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FIDE_chess_world_number_ones