Chess World Championships: A Chronology

The World Chess Championship is the pinnacle of competitive chess, where the
world's top players compete for the title of World Chess Champion. Here is a
chronological overview of the Chess World Championships:

Wilhelm Steinitz (1886-1894): Wilhelm Steinitz, an influential analyst and

theoretician, became the first recognized World Chess Champion after defeating
Adolf Andersen in 1866 .

Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921): Emanuel Lasker, a German chess player, became the
second World Chess Champion by defeating Wilhelm Steinitz in 1894. Lasker held the
title for a remarkable 27 years, the longest reign in chess history.

José Capablanca (1921-1927): José Capablanca, a Cuban chess player, won the title
by defeating Emanuel Lasker in 1921. Capablanca was known for his exceptional
endgame skills and intuitive play.

Alexander Alekhine (1927-1935, 1937-1946): Alexander Alekhine, a Russian and French

chess player, won the title by defeating José Capablanca in 1927. Alekhine's reign
was interrupted during World War II but resumed afterward.

Max Euwe (1935-1937): Max Euwe, a Dutch chess player, became the fifth World Chess
Champion by defeating Alexander Alekhine in 1935. However, Euwe's reign was short-
lived as Alekhine regained the title in a rematch.

Mikhail Botvinnik (1948-1957, 1958-1960, 1961-1963): Mikhail Botvinnik, a Soviet

chess player, won the World Chess Championship tournament held in 1948, becoming
the sixth World Chess Champion. He successfully defended the title in several
matches against challengers.

Vasily Smyslov (1957-1958): Vasily Smyslov, a Soviet chess player, defeated Mikhail
Botvinnik in 1957 to become the seventh World Chess Champion. However, Botvinnik
regained the title in a rematch the following year.

Mikhail Tal (1960-1961): Mikhail Tal, a Soviet chess player known for his
aggressive and imaginative style, won the title by defeating Mikhail Botvinnik in
1960.

Tigran Petrosian (1963-1969): Tigran Petrosian, a Soviet chess player, won the
title by defeating Mikhail Botvinnik in 1963. Petrosian was known for his defensive
skills and strategic play.

Boris Spassky (1969-1972): Boris Spassky, a Soviet chess player, won the title by
defeating Tigran Petrosian in 1969. Spassky's most famous match was the 1972 World
Chess Championship against Bobby Fischer.

Bobby Fischer (1972-1975): Bobby Fischer, an American chess prodigy, won the World
Chess Championship by defeating Boris Spassky in 1972. Fischer's victory ended the
Soviet Union's dominance in chess and made him a national hero in the United
States.

Anatoly Karpov (1975-1985): Anatoly Karpov, a Soviet chess player, became the
twelfth World Chess Champion after Bobby Fischer forfeited the title in 1975.
Karpov successfully defended the title in several matches.

Garry Kasparov (1985-2000): Garry Kasparov, a Soviet and later Russian chess
player, won the title by defeating Anatoly Karpov in 1985. Kasparov held the title
for 15 years and was known for his aggressive and dynamic style of play.

Vladimir Kramnik (2000-2007): Vladimir Kramnik, a Russian chess player, won the
title by defeating Garry Kasparov in 2000. Kramnik successfully defended the title
against several challengers.

Viswanathan Anand (2007-2013): Viswanathan Anand, an Indian chess player, won the
title by defeating Vladimir Kramnik in 2007. Anand successfully defended the title
in several matches.

Magnus Carlsen (2013-present): Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian chess player, won the
title by defeating Viswanathan Anand in 2013. Carlsen is the current World Chess
Champion and has successfully defended the title in subsequent matches.

It's important to note that this chronology covers the official World Chess
Championships recognized by various chess organizations. There are also other chess
championships held for different categories, such as women, juniors, seniors, rapid
chess, and blitz chess .

If you want more detailed information about each championship or specific matches,
you can explore the sources provided for a comprehensive understanding of the Chess
World Championships.