who do you think is the best chess player of all time?

When was that, if I may ask? Before Kasparov retired Anand was never near Kasparov and scored 3-16 in classical games against him (15-1 to Kasparov after a couple of early losses in the beginning of the 1990s). Then Carlsen has been the clearly stronger of the two the last 7-8 years. That leaves maybe 2007-08, and even during those years Carlsen was second behind Anand in Linares both times in spite of still being 16-17 and far from top ten.

fabel,Anand is not in his prime anymore.To add to that,Anand had lots of great chess players in his prime-Kasparov,Karpov and many to count..Just due to this reason,we cannot forget Anand.

Take a look at Magnus Carlsen-he is great now only because he has no tough opponents-Anand,Kasparov,Vassily etc. are fading away due to old age.Magnus beating Anand and Magnus coming second in Linares was when Magnus was young,whereas Anand was already getting old.Also,Anand losing to Magnus has nothing to do with play but only with age-Magnus is young and has the advantage,Anand is old,fading and has the disadvantage.

Not only that,Anand is a great universal player,he can change his playstyle accordingly,also he knows what to do to win.

It is a shame he has gotten older now and is blundering,but that happens to all chess players.

Had a player like Kasparov been born and now in the same age group as Magnus,it would be a heated battle.Magnus just does not have any good opponents as of now.

Also,Anand is an Indian 

P.S. English is not my first language so my wording sucks.

I trust Ivanchuk's judgement on this one. He thinks Capablanca, Fischer and Kasparov are the strongest ever, considering both their absolute strength, and how they evolved chess during their reign. Personally I'd say it's a toss up between Fischer and Kasparov, though Capablanca would probably be their equal if born in a later age.

How did Fischer evolve chess during his reign? He didn't play a single game.

You can be sure that after defeating US champion Reshewski at 14 of age and becoming the youngest champion ever, Fischer reign begun. Aged 23, Fischer would win every match or tournament he completed for the rest of his life (Wikipedia). Also continued by 11-0 in US championship of 1963/1964 and 6-0 against Taimanow also 6-0 against Larsen before winning the World chess Crown.

Bobby Ficsher

So Tal, Petrosian and Spassky never even reigned as World Champions, since Fischer did it already from 1957 by failing to finish top three in the Candidates 1959 and 1962?

He defeated them all.

Zurab Azmaiparashvili is the best player.

Aaron Nimzowistch

... is the good player

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/vote-for-your-favourite-chess-player-of-all-time?ncc=11#first_new_comment

Obviously, a computer program is now the 'greatest chess player of all time'!

Kasparov and Carlsen are the two best human players of all time. I don't think Carlsen has peaked yet.

At his best, Ivanchuk is incredible. He's beaten Kasparov, Carlsen, Kramnik, Anand and all the other top players of the last 30 years.

At his worst, he can lose on time to anyone.

Perhaps Ivanchuk, when he feels absolutely no pressure, is the best ever.

But when there's pressure to perform, Kasparov's done the best. He faced several must-win situations and almost always came through with a memorable victory.

Carlsen is going down.

"But when there's pressure to perform, Kasparov's done the best. He faced several must-win situations and almost always came through with a memorable victory"

That first match against Karpov was also quite impressive after the horrible start. Not many players could face Karpov at his peak 21 games in a row, where one mistake would lose you the match, and not only avoid losses but score three wins.

Elvis Presley, great singer, lousy chess player.

Bobby Fischer or Jose Raul Capablanca

Capablanca. He plays like classical music. Serene.

I fell in love with Mikhail Tal, and bought his best games book but it is so so dangerous to try to play like him. A tightrope walker on electrified wire.

I love love love you Mikhail but Capa is the best.

Capablanca v anyone today? Easy.