Who is the best chess player of all time ?vote here !

As I recall, Fischer was about 100-150 Elo ratings points better than Spassky after the Taimanov, Larsen, and Petrosian matches of 1971.  This was, I think, the largest margin ever between numbers 1 and 2 in the ratings.

In 1972, Fischer carried around with him "the red book" - a collection of Spassky's games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZLrcafDtkg

I have no doubt he had all of Karpov's published games at hand, and thoroughly dissected.

Rightly said

Again I will go to bat for Topalov here and say I think he's a legit WC even though he didnt win it by match play . His credentials are that he was one of a select few to break 2800 and he has played in matches for the WC barely losing both and a decade later he is still in the top 5 in the world at 2797 or so ....  He didnt just disappear like those who won the FIDE WC through knockout tournaments . His games are also more interesting and not nearly as dull as Kramnik's for example ...

Relative to his contemporaries, Fischer wins hands down

tal

Does Veselin Topolov remind anyone of David Janowski?

David Janowski

Veselin Topalov

Topalov reminds me of Vlad Tepes.

Vlad Tepes,"The Impaler," Prince of Wallachia, House of Drăculești

I mean they're both somewhat effete.

Janowski is your brother-in-law?

Vlad Topalov, son of Herpes and Gout, brother-in-law to the effete hikaru and hero-Janowski of the batgirl. Worshipped at the tomb of Tal and beloved by all Chessdom. Yes, Fischer would understand.

Wow that is uncanny!  I wish I could grow facial hair like Topalov.

" His games are also more interesting and not nearly as dull as Kramnik's for example ..."  You take that back!  How dare you say that the man who upset Kasparov for the world championship, demonstrated to the world the true value of the Berlin Defence, and who successfully defended his title against greats like Topalov and Peter Leko is boring!  His technique is fantasic and has a killer Grunfeld.  

Drootskie Babootski  hands down

MAGNUS CARLSEN

If one has studied "Bobby" Fischer, you would unequivacally know that he has done more for the field of chess than any other, and that has to include his professional acheivements, but excluding his personal life and political views.

no politics please, thank you.

Me

I agree fischer was best. I wish someone had told him "no politics please" lol. He may have been champion till he died.

Garry Kasparov