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Kasparov has evolved like his historical mentor, Alekhine. He started as a dynamic attacking player that added positional skills as well. The very greatest can do both. In part, it is a matter of preference. To be fair, as a player gets older, experience and maturity (as well as the conservation of energy) lead all players to develop positional skills. Look at the contrast of early and late Keres and Tal.
Tal, Anderssen and Marshall for pure tactics. Kasparov, Alekhine, or Morphy when you consider the whole package. You can positionally attack to. (The Minority attack in the QGD) Anand and Topalov as a very honorable mentions.
I would add Keres to the list of “very honorrable mentions”
Topalov
He is also one of the best attackers on the board. 😉
kramnik . lol
Only Tal belongs on that list before Bobby. His style was to always be on the attack and always have the initiative. Without Bobby on the list, the list has no value.
“Without Bobby on the list, the list has no value.” Fischer was an ommission when one considers the whole package. If a list does mention other players but Bobby that do have value, and Bobby has value than a list without Bobby merely has LESS, not none. I remember what Spassky once said: “Chess teaches one objectivity.”
Susan, you are asking the same question, time and again.
http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2006/05/who-is-best-attacking-player.html
Why?
YYYYYAAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNN
I’m partial to Morphy myself
It’s her blog she can ask us what our favorite migrating tropical insect is for the 40th time if she wants…
I’d have to say GM Arthur Bisguier.
She is asking again becoz we didn’t give the answer she wants.
So to avoid another repeat of the same question. This is the answer:
I think J.Polgar is the best attacking player 😉
Hissing Cockaroach!!!! for previous person’s question. As for greatest attacker of all time in my humble opinion:
1. Andersson
2. Morphy
3. Marshall
4. Spielman
5. Alekhine
6. Keres
7. Tal
8. Kasparov
9. Topalov
10. Rybka!!!!
Let us respect Susan for
asking whatever question
she likes, it’s her blog.
I enjoy your lovely site,
Susan!
As for the best attacker:
1. Rustam Kamsky
2. Danailov.
I guess for the Americans in this forum, the answer for any category has to be Morphy or Fischer 🙂
Tate…
Without a doubt Tal is and would likely still be. Just look at the game Tal vs. Vooremaa, which Dr. Danny Kopec featured on ICC Webcast.
Keres is the best attacker of all time !
This masterpiece by Carlsen tells as who might become the greatest attacker of all time.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8.
h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Ngf6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Ne4 Qa5 14.
Kb1 O-O 15. Nxf6+ Nxf6 16. Ne5 Rad8 17. Qe2 c5 18. Ng6 fxg6 19. Qxe6+ Kh8
20. hxg6 Ng8 21. Bxh6 gxh6 22. Rxh6+ Nxh6 23. Qxe7 Nf7 24. gxf7 Kg7 25. Rd3
Rd6 26. Rg3+ Rg6 27. Qe5+ Kxf7 28. Qf5+ Rf6 29. Qd7#
If somebody has ever studied
the classics, then the only
answer will be: TAL.
In his games he attacked all and
anyone.
Kasparow has been a better strategic
player and didnt attack in a
normal position, but TAL did.
And, by the way, who is Shirov?
Ulf Andersson? No,I mean Tal and Kasparov!
Alekhine and Tal for attacking. My opinion of GM Kasparov is that is one of the best “well rounded” players in modern history.
He seems quite comfortable with d4, e4, open or closed games. He is one of the few GM’s that can play virtually any type of game and feel comfortable (or, at least, not too threatened) with the position.
Going outside of those given to us to choose from, Morphy was a master at attack. However, he is outside of our discussion.
Being insulted by an “anonymous” due to my opinions regarding Morphy in yesterdays posts, I hesitate to write too much and say too much on this topic.
It is a shame that some cannot tolerate the concept of “diversity of opinion.” GM Polgar allows us to post at will and so many “anons” abuse this.
There exists so many intelligent and gifted chess enthusiasts here…why do some have to be so vulgar and insulting?
I dare say, the answer might very well qualify for an article in a psychiatric journal! Human behavior is most odd.
Anyway, Alekhine and Tal are my vote for 20th century “attackers.”
To Churchill40:
I agree with your addition of Anderssen. His games are quite worthy of study for those that have yet to do so. Two thumbs up to your posts!
Sincerely,
Tim Harris
Marcus Lemmond said…
It’s her blog she can ask us what our favorite migrating tropical insect is for the 40th time if she wants…
Saturday, October 21, 2006 1:13:27 PM
Definitely the Monarch Butterfly. I had a load of them here this year. Had a few hundred of the milk weed plants and they came all the way from Mexico to Maine to bring me joy.
For chess there is no one like Bobby. He was the absolute best by far. Kasparov was ok but he does not compare to Bobby.
Susan, stop asking us all these questions! I’m sure people would rather read what *you* think.
I wonder….
Has the time come to actually add computer chess programs into the list? It might seem odd at first to even consider this.
Yet, we humans created them and now they are dominating us in chess! Some are already “learning” (in a primitive sense) from their mistakes. In the not-too-distant future, chess computers shall surpass us in every aspect of chess:
1. Attacking
2. Defending
3. Openings
4. Endgames
5. Middlegame strategy and tactics.
6. Lastly, overall chess ability.
I hate to say it but one day soon, chess fans will see computers so strong that even the best human GM cannot even obtain a draw.
That day has not come, yet. However, it is on the horizon. A part of me feels quite sad about this.
Tim Harris
The American Paul Morphy. The question was who is the best attacker “of all time.” Time goes back beyone the names mentioned.
Morphy…one of the best.
The American Paul Morphy. The question was who is the best attacker “of all time.” Time goes back beyone the names mentioned.
Morphy…one of the best.
Before his illness: Tal! the majestic! even the great bobby wasn’t abble to face his power!
Today, all the great player are great powerful in attack! they couldn’t be there otherwise.
So, Judith polgar, Short, Kasmky, Topalov, Grischuk,Adams, Svidler, Ivantchouk, Shirov,etc are all bless chess player!
Just don’t let them hae a chance to attack or it would be leathal, if you are not one of them.
How come no one remembers Harry Nelson Pillsbury? Ne5, f4? Pillsbury, Tal, Alekhine, Morphy, Judit and Anand are my favourite attackers. I haven’t really followed Topalov’s, Fischer’s or Kasparov’s games, but they do seem like “beasts of prey” (quoting Alekhine).
Anderssen and Marshall, among some other romantic players, were pretty strong tactically, but you need that positional feeling for when an attack is justified, where and how.
I guess another question becomes, are there players that are more widely renowned for attacking, versus say, some unknown person who might be more of an attacker once the games are subjected to an objective scrutiny?
In English: Might a “famous” person’s reputation carry more weight than an unknown who might be a stronger candidate for this title?
I have not forgotten H.N. Pillsbury! His performance in the Hastings tournament of 1895 was amazing!
Sad that the chess world lost such a talent at such a young age. He popularized the Queen’s gambit and, insofar as the 1895 Hastings tournament goes, finished ahead of thereigning world champion Lasker and former world champion Steinitz! Furthermore, his recent challenger Mikhail Chigorin came in second.
Pillsbury was a great chess talent.
Trust me…he is not forgotten!
T. Harris
I’m not American , and it is clear for me that Robert James Fischer , Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal are teh best attacker of all time , their aggressive style consumed so much energy that their peak didn’t last that long .
Kasparov is an all round player although when younger , he was a terrific attacking player , but i wouldn’t consider him the best attacker of all time .
Most of Kasparov’s chess career was about defeating his only real rival that was 12 years older , Anatoly Karpov , before losing to the younger Kramnik in 2000 .
“alekorphy”
A witty combination of the names of Alekhine and Morphy.
Original.
Hmmmmm, I know who you are.
Why are you picking on Harris for? Seems he’s honest and just stating his opinion.
I’m new to this blog. Do people always pick on those who differ in opinion?
“I guess for the Americans in this forum, the answer for any category has to be Morphy or Fischer”
No. These chess players’ games speak for themselves. You might not like Americans…but we did produce two world champions:
Fischer and Paul Morphy.
Face it! America actually is a superpower!
and to the following Americans:
Go Polgar! Go Kamsky! Go!
“I guess for the Americans in this forum, the answer for any category has to be Morphy or Fischer”
It may be true that americans focus on Morphy and Fischer on this forum…. however, this seems like a bad topic to point it out since Fischer and Morphy are clearly 2 of the greatest attacking players of all time. It was something they were very much known for.
Anyone have a conversion program for flv files. Would like to convert the Fischer Spassky flv file to avi or mpeg.
TIA
Robert
What about that great lethal attacker Claude Bloodgood?
I only accept world champions who are also clearly the best player in the world at their time as candidates.
So it’s Alekhine. (Not Tal he burned out way too fast.)
But Fischer and Lasker were the greatest fighters (probably due to mental disease) but they were not purely attacking players.
Tal is the most famous attacker of all time. His games are fun to play over, that’s for sure.
Regarding Kasparov I think he is excellent all the way around. The chess world is blessed to have had Kasparov as World Champion.
Regarding Judit Polgar it is fun to play over her games as well, and her attacking games are great opportunities to learn a lot about how to attack successfully.
“It’s her blog she can ask us what our favorite migrating tropical insect is for the 40th time if she wants… “
I agree.
Napoleon Bonaparte. All suggested best attackers are weak, compared with him and his chess games.
Alekhine, the GREAT
Any GM could sacrifice when the position ask for it.. what does that mean? well..any error by a player requires a reply..Only the great Mikhail N Tal could sacrifice out of the blue..Paul Morphy, Harry Pillsbury, Chigorin, Alekhine, Leonid Stein, Alexey Shirov, Alexander Morozevich, Judith Polgar..attacking school is alive and kicking..
Tal, with Kasparov as a close second.
I think Kasparov is a fairly universal player (although he prefers shaper positions) because he is strong is all aspects of the game.
Always a thrill replaying a Fisher game
Bobby Fisher
I believe Kasparov “can be” one of the best attacking players…..obviously he plays the najdorf which requires this in particular, and he use to play the kings indian which also was very tactical and ive read his book kasparov on the king’s indian which shows how formidable an attack he can be. In general i think kasparov does everything pretty well. so my answer is he is both an all-around player and a great attacking player and his flexibility to be both is probably why he is the greatest
For strength of play I would say Fischer and Kasparov with Topalov catching up, but for pure attacking style I would like to include Rashid Nezhmetdinov. If you have not seen them, look at his games at http://www.chessmaniac.com/Games/MyChessViewer/Nezhmetdinov.htm
before ruling him out.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Susan often comes up with those “Who is the best” questions because it generates a lot of reactions and then she does not feel like talking to a wall.
Kasparov is a great attacking player and he wants to attack he can be brilliant but if you want a pur attacking player who just needs to attack like hell then I think he is out. He is as good at closed games as anyone else so he cannot be called a pure attacking player. He is just the best player.
For attackers I think Mprphy or Tal is the best. And ya, the best women attacker of all times is off course Judith Polgar.
The best attacker of all time?
Attackers such as Greece’s Alexander the Great, Rome’s Julius Ceaser, America’s Patton, Germany’s Rommel, Scotland’s Douglas, England’s Nelson, France’s Napoleon, China’s Kublai Khan, Japan’s greatest samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, Russia’s Peter the Great, William – Duke of Normandy, Prussia’s Frederick the Great, the Union’s Sherman, the confederacy’s Longstreet, the list of great attackers throughout history goes on and on…
Ultimately though, humanity’s all-time greatest attacker is surely:
Attila the Hun
Thanks, Tim. I agree with you and Susan that the discussion should be about ideas. When people attack other people the quality of what we all have to offer each other declines. To paraphrase Susan: Discuss with grace, differ with dignity.
alekorphy: Yes, yes, and yes on Pillsbury. The Ne5/f4 concept in the QGD was quite novel in it’s day. Of course, it took t Pillsbury to bring it off.
There is the old adage the that “chess is a sea that a gnat can swim and the elephant can bathe.” In this context the are so many personalities. I simply forgot one of my heros, Pillsbury. A player I rarely see among those in “the greatest” series is Botvinnik. I had forgotten to mention him myself. I think that there are reasons for this and will mention them in future posts.
Tim,
Yes, the early loss of Pillsbury is tragic. With the willing departures of Morphy, and Fischer, America’s 3 greatest geniuses left prematurely. But the specific circumstances of Pillsbury’s departure most remind me of the loss of someone outside of this discipline:Schubert.
Tal
Tal, of course.
Kasparov is second one, but they are too different. Kasparov is all about preparation and calculation. Tal’s brilliances are all about free spirit and imagination. I am overstating a bit, of course 😉
No.3 – Bronstein.
No.4 – Alekhine.
Other players never became No.1, and therefore couldn’t be considered a best attaker of their time, IMHO.
If other players beat you OTB, how can you be considered the best attacker?
Morphy, etc., was a totally different epoch, it is hard to compare.
Susan you know my choose it’s obiouvs:
1 St Place Judith Polgar(Hungary)
Kisses Antonio
Howard Stern
Born on June 22, 1837, in the city of New Orleans.Its name is synonymous of legend & went not to a school of chess,neither tapeworm coach & Fritz to analyze games. Was pure talent. Only a marvelous mind,went almost invincible and had the best percent of fulfillment of all the world champions. (upon eighty percent)
His name :Paul Charles Morphy, the one and only.
Kramnik, duhh! 😛