I have discussed this before but I've never gotten a set answer.

You did not get an answer because there is no answer, and stop maikng topics like this.

Stop with this already.

it seems that this topic is posted everyday.

It's akin to, what's the best food?

There is no such thing as a "black and white" answer...

or put it in this way, nothing is in black and white.... you should know, you got it as your name ! lol

it has to be me !, because it only took me 20 years to reach 1700

This has been discussed hundreds of times in this forum, so i am sure that you will find numerous posts if you just do a search in the forum. Anyway i can give you some names of great chess player.

Bobby Fischer and Kasparov is considered to be maybe the two greates chess players ever lived. Ho`s the greates, we can never decide. Other great players is: Tal, karpov, Spassky, Morphy, Capablanca, Nimzovich, Steinitz, Lasker, alekhine, Rubenstein and many many more. Hope this helps you.

I agree, there's no point in making the same post over and over again unless you want to discuss an interesting twist on the question, such as 'What constitutes the 'greatest player'?'

Someone ran this through some computer program a few years ago.  Kasparov came up on top in a double round robin with everyone playing. Published a book and made lots of people angry because some favorites got left off the list or out of order... every emotional subject.

However, the championship has traditionally been done in match play.  This would dramatically change the results with some players who finished at the bottom of the round-robin beating some top players, etc....

Different times called for different players and different techniques.  For instance, Lasker rarely played chess.  Capa was an unstopable machine (also Fischer's model).  No wonder both of them got "bored" with the game.  Karpov was an "efficient" player who was not concerned about the best move.  Kasparov like unblanaced positions.  Tal and Alikine were mad attacking wizzards.  Each was an answer to the last one...

The Tal-Botvinnik 1960 match (and book) gives some insight into what happens in match play (from one of the better chess writers/players).  It is an amazing read.

I for one will disagree...if you try to look at actual games between and among the greatest players, only Mikhail Botvinnik will stand head and shoulder above the rest. Aside from being the only World Champion 3 times he also succesfully train his students to become World champion too.Look at your database and search the games of Mikhail Botvinnik he has a chance to play almost all the players we can consider to be the greatest. Heres the record:

Lifeteime Score of Mikhail Botvinnik vs. World Chess Champions

Emmanuel Lasker - Botvinnik has a Plus score

Capablanca - Draw

Alekhine- Botvinnik has a Plus Score

Max Euwe- Botvinnik has a Plus Score

Vassily Smyslov_ Botvinnik has a Plus Score

Mikhail Tal - Botvinnik has a Plus Score

Tigran Petrosian- Petrosian has a Plus Score (M. Botvinnik won 2 games in WCC vs. 5 games in favor of T. Petrosian. This is understandable as M. Botvinnik is already past his prime during this match).

Boris Spassky- Botvinnik has a plus score

Robert Fischer- Draw

Whats that from Lasker to Fischer? Yes M.Botvinnik has a fine record against them all.

How about Karpov, Kasparov, and Kramnik? Of course.Yes,  They were students of M. Botvinnik and therefore M. Botvinnik share in the glory with them becoming World Champion!

Truly amazing!

Milan Vidmar

Is that the sort of "set answer" you wanted?

Lol, where did you get dr. Vidmar?

Paul Keres

me

Fischer of course!

Here we go again. Countless lists, suggestions, stats. THERE IS NO BEST. EVERY CHAMPION WAS THE BEST IN HIS TIME!!!!!!

I think John Jones is the best player ever.

Bobby Fischer, no question.

my computer xDDD

Lasker, Capa, Al, and Max were past their prime (see your answer about Petrosian) and Tal beat him convincingly in match play in 1960.  (A must have book, BTW)

I would agree that Botvinnik's greatest legacy is the result of his students.  As a coach, I'd say their triumphs were better for him than his own!

So you have a good point.  It's one thing to win yourself, its another teach someone else to win.

Have you people forgot Gary Kasparov and Vishy Anand?