Best endgame player ever - Andersson or Smyslov?

 Who is the best endgame player ever? Two come to my mind - Andersson and Smyslov. Who would you choose? 

probably rubinstein, i dont understand him at all and thats why he must be the greatest endgame player ever.

About two years ago, I would have said it was Vladimir Kramnik. But the things that Magnus Carlsen can do in completely even endgames is mindboggling.

Historically, Rubinstein, Smyslov, Andersson and Jon Speelman all deserve special recognition.

I don't think Carlsen can be considered endgame master. He does not have enough experience. Endgame knowledge is based on experience.  I forgot to mention Karpov. However, he didn't rely on his endgame technique to the extent to which Andersson did.

But Carlsen is known mostly for his endgame technique, and the whole 2870 thing. Of all the things I've heard about Carlsen from critics, lack of endgame mastery is not one of them.

Rubinstein,Lasker,Capablanca,Maroczy,Smyslov

And when you say andersson, do you mean Adolf or Ulf?

I would not include Karpov except for defense.  Karpov's weakness in the endgame was that he wouldn't take the risks necessary to convert a small advantage into a win.  He allowed a lot of draws when he had an advantage.

Ulf Andersson of course. 

Just making sure :-)

Karpov dominated his opponents in the endgame. He won many games as Black entirely because of his endgame mastery. His score against Jan Timman alone is largely due to his excellent endgame technique. 

Karpov-Hort 1979 is just one example of his endgame mastery. And Karpov's endgames against Korchnoi helped him to the world title in 1974, 1978, and 1981.

Karpov was one of the great endgame players of all time.

right i remember a really pretty engame where he won against kasparov. I think he dominated the bishop with his horsy, very nice considering that i often fall asleep when watching Karpov but that endgame was indeed interesting.

I'm not sure, but I think the endgame you remember was one that Kasparov won brilliantly. I'll dig it up.

The one he is thinking of was one in the 1984/85 match where Karpov won brilliantly. I'll post it if anyone wants.

yeah if you have time it would be nice

Here's one B vs N endgame that Karpov won against Kasparov. This may be the one you mean. Start after Black's 44th move for the critical endgame.

All I did was copy the game from the database;the annotations are GM Daniel King's.

For whatever reason, the "set focus" function doesn't seem to be working. Yeah, Karpov's 47.Ng2! was one of the most brilliant moves in that match.

yes it was, it wasnt as beautiful as i thought it was, but it was highly educative and informative. Thank you verry much for posting it. 

yeah who would thought of such a move, even so now it seems to make perfect sense.

Andersson, his endgames actually make me want to do endgame study.