WORLD CHAMPIONS OF CHESS
Compiled by Brendan Adkins

A split in ranking bodies from 1993-2006 meant that there were, for that time, two world champions. Champions from before and after that period are undisputed.

1. Wilhelm Steinitz, 1886-1894
2. Emanuel Lasker, 1894-1921
3. Jose Raul Capablanca, 1921-1927
4. Alexander Alekhine, 1927-1935, 1937-1946
5. Max Euwe, 1935-1937
6. Mikhail Botvinnik, 1948-1957, 1958-1960, 1961-1963
7. Vasily Smyslov, 1957-1958
8. Mikhail Tal, 1960-1961
9. Tigran Petrosian, 1963-1969
10. Boris Spassky, 1969-1972
11. Bobby Fischer, 1972-1975
12. Anatoly Karpov, 1975-1985
13. Garry Kasparov, 1985-1993, 1993-2000 (disputed)
14. Anatoly Karpov, 1993-1999 (disputed)
15. Alexander Khalifman, 1999-2000 (disputed)
16. Vladimir Kramnik, 2000-2006 (disputed), 2006-2007
17. Viswanathan Anand, 2000-2002 (disputed), 2007-
18. Ruslan Ponomariov, 2002-2004 (disputed)
19. Rustam Kasimdzhanov, 2004-2005 (disputed)
20. Vesselin Topalov, 2005-2006 (disputed)


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