What Grand Master's past or present would you like to play if given a chance ?

Many Chess players have a favorite player, most have a number of players that they study or whose style of play they admire. If I were given a chance I would have liked to have played against Mikhail Tal.

I would have liked to play Mikhail Tal as Black in the Benoni.  That would have been fun

Bobby Fischer

I agree, he seemed the type of competitor that carried a pure love for the game.

I would like to play Tigran Petrosian as Black in a French Defence. That game, whether I lost or by some miracle won, would be my favorite game forever.

I always dreamed about interviewing bobby fischer.  I would like to know how he thinks about certain things. Not just chess. But interviewing while playing a game would be awesome.

Alexander Morozevich. He's just from another planet.

Bobby Fischer. I played a Sicilian against Tal and he played 3.Bb5 but stil crushed me in about 20 moves

I was lucky to have been able to play my favorite once (Reshevsky) and held him to a draw (which was even luckier!). My next favorite would be Frank Marshall just because he was such a colorful character.

Puurely for the sake of post match analasys, I have have two, Savielly Tartakower, my absolute hero for fearless innovative play, and witty sayings. And also Efim Bogulyubow, not sure I'd learn anything but there would be beers involved.

Nezmitidinov, Andersson or Morphy probably.

My favorite player is Emanuel Lasker, not least because if I did play him, he would of course crush me, but as a well-rounded man he would make sparkling conversation (assuming I spoke German 8^), and afterwards he would say something nice about my play that would make me feel good.

V. Korchnoi.

You play the French (either side), you lose, you get incredible amounts of friendly advice (this is why I opt for Korky) and you get down the pub (another reason for my choice).

I think I sense how you feel. There was an interview of Kasparov by Bill Maher where Kasparov shared his experience with social changes that were politically happening in his country.There was some light heartedness in Maher's interview as well. I think even people with little or no involvment of chess would have found it interesting and even entertaining to see.

Very difficult question. I feel tempeted to respond it would be Fischer, but... Tal. My choice would be Tal. Not only for the game he played, but for his personal history, for the man he was.

Karpov, hands down for me. He is my favorite player of all time. He had style, class, and was a beast on the board. I love the way he could completely control a game, and lead someone into a losing position against their will. Of course he would absolutely crush me, and I would be so nervous I would probably seize up It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia style.

Absolutely Jose Raul... the most gifted natural player. Practically the strongest blitz or speed player ever. If I was going to get my hat handed to me it would be Capablanca.  Then probably fischer so I could make some anti semetic comments and watch him explode.

Morphy. It would at least be a pretty game.

Fischer, Tal. Kasparov. Those three guys.

josh waitzkin.