So who is everyone's favorite chess player(s). I am a big fan of Josh Waitzkin. For old school players, Alexander Alekhine. I love Bobby Fisher's playing but not his views of everything else (brilliant chess player not so brilliant human being). OK let's hear from everyone else!

Probably Tal.

I am fascinated by the self-destructive/brilliant types (like Tal and Alekhine, etc.)

Yeah, Tal was great. Some of his games walked the line between Strategic brilliance and dangerous madness. I love Tal's style. Its all about pressure.

It's really hard to back just one icon. As a rooter for underdogs I've declared Bronstein my favorite most often over the years. I love Tal, but Alekhine and his cats and his cat sweater and his great books and his love of the game in the face of a hellish life gets my vote tonight.

A fave player of mine a tier below the WC's whom I imagine should be appreciated by the rather creative, bizarre minds of this group is one of my boyhood heros Duncan Suttles. He was like Naka on acid. Indeed Hikaru has re-introduced some of Suttles pet lines here and there.