This question is as disputable and understandable as for instance Jordan vs L.James or Bill Russel vs Kareem Abdul Jabaar.. larry bird vs... etc. etc.
Different styles/ time periods/ purpose. I guess just save it for history to account for what they did in the context they did it in.
Yay, superkings back. I can't believe this thread is about Magnus again. Yay.
In his prime? I'll take Kasparov. Answer might be different in 5 years.
Kasparov...
Kasparov in his prime had serious problems in matches against positional Carlsen style opponents like Karpov and Kramnik, and this while being close to 100 points ahead on the rating list.
Yay, superkings back. I can't believe this thread is about Magnus again. Yay.
I would have preferred that guy who wanted people with an OTB rating to post.
I'm a 70 year old player... I'll take Kasparov but like rtr1129 my answer could be different in 5 years, if I make to 75. Carlsen doesn't have much of a flare and doesn't pull rabbits from his hat like Fischer but he'll progress. But like every era another player will enter... like the fast gun. There always somebody a little faster, younger, smarter or more dedicated. And time marches on! Kasparov impressed me because he was willing to play computers. Let's see Carlsen do that today... he'll get his ass kicked but computers are much better now than when Kasparov played them. Only a fool would do that now!
Carlsen doesn't have much of a flare and doesn't pull rabbits from his hat like Fischer but he'll progress.
I think that's just Magnus' style. You don't need to pull rabbits out of hats to be a better player.
match...who wins