The Best Player Who Never Became WC?

Who is Chucky?  

I can’t think of any reason to pick anyone else than Korchnoi. He not only qualified for two title matches, but faced one of the greatest World Champions at his peak while being 47 years old himself, and had 15.5-15.5 before the last game. The previous match against Karpov was also a title match in a way since Fischer quit, and also there he lost with the smallest possible margin.

No one else comes close to those achievements. Maybe Topalov is a good Candidate for second place on the list if he doesn’t count as World Champion.

Chucky is Ivanchuk's  nickname.

Bronstein was the first guy who leapt to my mind. Insightful chess analyst and writer too. I'm glad Korchnoi has been mentioned too.

Works for me! Great Maroczy pic too😁👍

Ivanchuk

Neil, did I tell you that Sava Gerdec played Maroczy while in Budapest?

Also, Sava's Father played Maroczy corr

Had a quick  look at chess metrics 1 year high ratings. Among non world champions it goes Tarrasch, Maroczy, Pillsbury, Korchnoi, Ivanchuk. Interesting!

Pillsbury! will try to find a good cartoon/pic... Thanks mate!

Pillsbury (and Chigorin!) added up

He hadn't come into my head either!! Expected the Keres of 1951/52 to be in that top 5, and Rubinstein of 1912 as well! Shows what I know. 😂

Who do you think our @kamalakanta friend would vote for? Devik? or maybe even split with Gufeld

I tweeted on our voting here on chesscom, and @816_Daddy 

He says "Definitely Vassily Ivanchuk."

Not really sure what case Chucky has here, he scored good results now and then but only qualified for the Candidates twice, once in the 90s when he was beaten by Yusupov, who lost to Timman, who lost to Short. Then in 2013, when he lost five games on time. Several strong results in between, but not enough for me to have him as a Candidate to greatest ever not to win the title.

Silly question!😂. Might be Devil👍

Caruana should soon be worth a mention. Won the Candidates once, second place once, lots of tournament wins, drew title match against Carlsen in classical section, and with a live rating peak of 2850+

Thanks for clarification.  

Korchnoi

No doubt. In your case, with just reading the profile, an empty comment would do!

Thanks for your vote👍

Thanks! updated, and Victor the Terrible is now in the second!

The race is heating up☀️