best chess player of all time

who is the best chess player of all time? if they all played in one competition who would win?

Either Conquistador, Bobby, or Ozzie.

Haven't seen this topic in quite some time. Thanks for bringing it up.

who thinks kasparov or karpov

morphy

lasker, capablanca

any other suggestions

Bobby Fischer, without doubt!

any one else?

Capablanca

Kasparov - No doubt at all.

The youngest ever undisputed World Chess Champion in 1985 at the age of 22.

World No. 1 according to Elo rating almost continuously from 1986 until his retirement in 2005 and holding the all-time highest rating of 2851

I dont really see the point of debating this endlessly. Who else compares? 

Maybe Magnus in the future....

Ruy Lopez and Phillidor were both about 19 years old when they were first considered to be the best in the world.

The debates will continue until everyone admits Capablanca was the best.

In other words, yes, the debates will be endless.

Considering things doesn't make them a fact.

My answer is Kaaparov who reached the highest elo of 2850 at his peak, and took on all challenges (unlike Fischer).However i would like to point out that Emanuel Lasker was world champion from 1894-1921, 27 years! He at least deserves mention!

Lasker

 FIDE was only formed in 1946. Before that there was no formal system of qualification. 

Though Im sure Lasker was a great player.

You are joking right? Gelfand is a LONG way from being the best ever.

It's a difficult question in part because the general level of chess knowledge changes from one era to the next, and all great players in one era benefit from the knowledge developed during previous eras. Kasparov pointed out in an interview a few years ago (I think it was to promote one of the volumes of "My Great Predecessors") that if Steinitz had access to all of today's opening theory, he would no longer be Steinitz - he would be a different player. If we're basing our answer on world championship match results we would need to determine whether to take into account the quality of the competition. Morphy, for example, generally won his matches by far wider margins than Kasparov, but Kasparov's opponents were surely much better than Morphy's.

I dont think it is at all difficult to answer. I "could have been" a brain surgeon. Fact is Im not. 

What about Bent Larsen?