Another addition might be Blackburne, who learned chess at age 18, which is pretty much unheard of at top levels. Despite his late start, he managed to rise to the highest levels of chess at that time. Less than two years after learning the moves, he defeated Steinitz in a tournament game.
So we can add also Rubinstein and Tartakower. They learn to play relatively late (16 and 20 years old), but they still were in the elite of their time.
Sultan Khan quited chess cause he was a soldier. He played chess only to have fun. A real genius.
Sultan Khan was a servant, not a soldier. There is a difference.
Another addition might be Blackburne, who learned chess at age 18, which is pretty much unheard of at top levels. Despite his late start, he managed to rise to the highest levels of chess at that time. Less than two years after learning the moves, he defeated Steinitz in a tournament game.
So we can add also Rubinstein and Tartakower. They learn to play relatively late (16 and 20 years old), but they still were in the elite of their time.
Interesting. I didn't realize they started so late. Did they also become top-level within two years though?
1) Sultan Khan
2) Paul Morphy
3) Jose Raul Capablanca
4) Mikhail Tal
5) Magnus Carlsen
DrSpudnik wrote:
How many are on currency?
Money talks, eh? All mine ever says is goodbye : )
If I'm not mistaken, Fischer said Capablanca. That's a pretty good endorsement. I think Morphy and Capablanca.
Fischer? Natural Talent?
Does not compute...
Carlsen only became stronger after getting lessons from Kasparov.
Capablanca is the answer.
He never read a book in his life.
Fischer? Natural Talent?
Does not compute...
Carlsen only became stronger after getting lessons from Kasparov.
Capablanca is the answer.
He never read a book in his life.
Oops, he was member of the diplomatic corps for his country. Pretty funny what you claim.
Maybe also Steinitz? He was the "father" of positional play and his intuitions were important for modern chess. He started in his twenties also.
Eventually every Grandmaster has a specific potential within them. For example one may be better at positional play but lack of tactical play.
So for my part, my favorite Grandmaster within their speciality will be:
Tactical Play: Mikhail Tal, Jose Raul Capablanca, Emanuel Lasker, Robert James Fischer
Defensive Ability: Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian, Magnus Carlsen, Jose Raul Capablanca
Intuitional: Paul Morphy, Alexander Alekhine, Robert James Fischer, Garry Kasparov
Positional Play: Jose Raul Capablanca, Anatoly Karpov, Emanuel Lasker, Mikhail Botvinnik
Beautiful/Sacrifice Play: Paul Morphy, Robert James Fischer, Adolf Anderssen, Mikhail Tal, Rashid Gibiatovich Nezmetdinov, Alexander Alekhine
Attacking Chess: Mikhail Tal, Rashid Gibiatovich Nezhmetdinov
Endgame: Jose Raul Capablanca
Knight Maneuvre: Aron Nimzowitch
But overall The Best Chess Player of All Time Yet will be Grandmaster Jose Raul Capablanca 
Well these are my version or my own taste
Fischer? Natural Talent?
Does not compute...
Carlsen only became stronger after getting lessons from Kasparov.
Capablanca is the answer.
He never read a book in his life.
What do you mean by "not compute"
As much as everybody hates Fischer in this forum, he was completely self taught and became the youngest ever GM in his time.
If you think Carlsen is this strong because he got lessons from Kasparov then you are delusional
the actual legend is that capablanca never read any book on opening and that's probabely true.
Fischer? Natural Talent?
Does not compute...
Carlsen only became stronger after getting lessons from Kasparov.
Capablanca is the answer.
He never read a book in his life.
What do you mean by "not compute"
As much as everybody hates Fischer in this forum, he was completely self taught and became the youngest ever GM in his time.
If you think Carlsen is this strong because he got lessons from Kasparov then you are delusional
+ 1000....
Tal.