In this World Cup and in many big spots in chess, some players falter under pressure. If you have to pick one player in history to play “that” decisive game for all the marbles, who would you choose?
– Fischer
– Kasparov
– Karpov
– Kramnik
– Someone from the previous generation like Capablanca or Alekhine, etc?
– Another choice?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Fischer
Morphy…the greatest natural chess talent that ever lived. I would just want him to have time to catch up with modern theory. Give him that…Morphy…no doubt I’d pick him.
If I had to choos another, then it would be Pillbury…again, let him catch up on theory and he would be amazing.
from previous generations:
Lasker for sure. He really excelled in the decisive games
Tal
from the list: Kasparov of course.
Topalov has very good results in decisive games
If I could choose anyone as they were at the top of their game, I’d go with Fischer.
As for anyone in their current state of performance, I’d go with Kramnik.
Ivanchuk:P
hydra
Gazza
No thinks to pick the World Champion Anand? Who is great under pressure.
I thought Anand had the reputation of collapsing under pressure, but than again, Kasparov said it, so it might be just intimidation. Anyway I think I would choose Kramnik, who really impressed me in the last must-absolutely-win game of his match against Leko. Remember? He played 3.e5 against Leko’s Caro-Kann and went for the jugular. Very cool and very brutal at the same time.
I liked Babe Ruth. If he told Little Tommy in the hospital that he’d send a homer to the left field bleachers just for him, the man delivered!
Oh wait… Did you mean just chess?
Fischer.
Alexander Alekhine and Bobby Fischer. Regardless of their person characteristics, best players out there by far. Today, Topalov, Anand, and Kramnik are the best.
See, when you ask a question like this, most people just ignore it and pick their own favorite player.
For this situation, though, I’d pick Portisch. He was known as a big money man in this kind of competition, and qualified for four Candidates series in short tiebreak playoffs after the Interzonal.
Fischer is an impossible choice. He’d never participate in a tournament like this in the first place. He’s the guy who stopped playing in US Championships because 11 rounds was too short, and thought Best of 24 was too short for a world championship. One can only imagine what he’d say about Best of 2.
Kasparov! Of course!
For 1861 – Morphy
Between 1861 – 1927 Lasker even though Capablanca was more talented
Between 1927-1961 – Botvinnik
Between 1961-1970 – Petrosian
Between 1970-1975 – Fischer
Between 1975-1985 – Karpov
Between 1985-2001 – Kasparov
After 2001 – ? Kramnik/Topalov
Oh, Emanuel Lasker, definitely. With Kasparov a close second.
Tal or alekhine were the best in decisive games. both put fear into the hearts of those they played.
kasparov should be on the list because of his match with karpov.
in the first match every game was decisive and in the second match game 24 was the most decisive game in chess history because it would decide the winner of two matches
joe montanna.lol kasparov remember game 24 againt karpov wow talk about pressure.
Karpov, obviously:)
GM Polgar! She beat all the odds!
I’d take Fischer in his prime because other players seemed to crumble near the end against him.
Fischer had the greatest will to win of any player. He knew how to win crucial gamesa and knew how to play positional, tactical, strategic gems. No other player was so consistent as he was from 1970-72 to this day. He completely dominated the chess world.
Fischer
Kasparov comes a close second.
Fischer and Kasparov are better than Karpov,who is far better than Kramnik.
kasparov and kramnik actually demonstrated during their matches at highest level that they can win the “last game left”.
1. Kasparov, 2. Fischer, 3. Capablanca, 4. Lasker, 5. Botvinnik, 6. Alekhine, 7. Karpov, 8. Anand would be my order since 1900, but each of the above would take Morphy as their choice.
Anand is one of the best under pressure.