At 63, Garry Kasparov Reveals The 5 Greatest Chess Players

Summary

The video ranks chess greatness by dominance over contemporary rivals, longevity, and influence, rather than by titles or ratings alone. No timestamps are provided, so key moments are identified by year.

1970–72 — Bobby Fischer’s peak

Fischer won the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal, then defeated Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen 6–0 in Candidates matches, followed by a 6½–2½ win over Tigran Petrosian.

In the 1972 World Championship match in Reykjavík, Fischer lost the first game and forfeited the second, but recovered to defeat Boris Spassky 12½–8½. His Game 6 was especially celebrated. Fischer’s extraordinary separation from his rivals is presented as a major argument for his greatness. In 1975, however, he forfeited the title rather than defend it against Anatoly Karpov.

1975 onward — Anatoly Karpov

After Fischer relinquished the crown, Karpov became world champion. He defended his title against Viktor Korchnoi in 1978 and 1981.

Karpov’s defining rivalry was with Garry Kasparov. Their first championship match began in September 1984. Karpov took an early lead, but after 48 games, the match was abandoned without a result. In their 1985 rematch, Kasparov won 13–11 over 24 games, becoming world champion at age 22.

Kasparov describes Karpov as the opposite of Fischer: a positional player who made the most of small advantages and used each piece with exceptional efficiency.

1973–88 — Mikhail Botvinnik’s influence

Botvinnik’s significance in the video comes chiefly from his role as a teacher and mentor. Kasparov says their relationship lasted 15 years and shaped both his chess and his character.

Botvinnik’s school also helped develop future champions, including Karpov, Kasparov, and Vladimir Kramnik. His teaching emphasized disciplined analysis and honest self-examination, including reviewing losses—not just wins.

Kasparov’s era

Kasparov acknowledges that Fischer’s peak dominance may have been greater, but emphasizes that he remained at the top much longer and succeeded against the next generation. His career connects the earlier champions to the modern chess era.

Magnus Carlsen

Kasparov describes Carlsen as a rare blend of Fischer’s fighting energy and Karpov’s precision. Carlsen can sustain pressure over many moves, defend difficult positions, and patiently squeeze small advantages. The video presents him as evidence that qualities associated with earlier legends can persist in a new chess environment.

The countdown closes on the idea that greatness is difficult to settle: each new generation studies the games and methods of the champions who came before it.

Presenters and sources identified in the subtitles

• Beyond the Board narration
• Garry Kasparov
• Magnus Carlsen
• An unidentified speaker discussing Botvinnik and the Soviet chess school