Bobby Fischer

During the Cold War with Russia, there was also a political war happening in chess.

During a time when Spassky and other Russian Super GMs easily controlled the chess game, Fischer was able to break through and give Americans a player to root for.

While he never held the World Championship title as long as the other players on this list, Fischer still dominated when he was at the top of his game.

In 1963/64, during the US Chess Championship, Fischer became the only player to achieve a perfect score and win, as he had six years prior.

Bobby Fischer was the first Chess GM (and possibly the last) to become a household name- and he was even on late shows.

He was practically a celebrity, due to increased cultural battles between the US and Russia.

After defeating Spassky, the US wanted everyone to know that America had won the game of intellect.

Bobby Fischer’s notoriety today isn’t based on his cultural and political popularity, however. Rather, players today appreciate Fischer’s clear calculating ability and his willingness to play for a win in any position.

When Fischer wanted to win, he could produce wins seemingly out of thin air, winning from a known opening or equal endgame.