Who was best, Kasparov or Fischer?

Kasparov is better in terms of ELO and is also better because of his knowledge of the game . Fischer is better if we are considering the win rate or “greatness” but generally, even though both are great players, Kasparov’s chess skills are better and clearly, is stronger than Fischer. Thus Garry Kasparov is the best chess player of all time. (At least until today.)

Fischer crushes kasparov, you have to think about the fact that fischer was 150 points higher than second place, in the world, for quite a bit. However, fischer was also insane, and so was only at his peak for a few years.

No, this is wrong. Fischer was at his peak when he was 29, in 1972. For reference, Carlsen is only 27.

Btw, Bob Beamon's Long Jump record held from 1968 to 1991, 23 years. Fischer's greatness is on a par with Beamon's. That doesn't mean that Beamon was the best ever. It means he was great. 

There's a difference between the meanings of those two words.

me

Fischer should have been forfeited for Game 2 so he would never have been world champion. But it's all ancient history. I don't know the answer - how many games did he play against Tal and what was the score please?

I'm guessing you do know, @Heather_Stephens. Tal was famously modest, and Fischer's fans have jumped on his kind statement. 

Tal said that when Fischer and Tal played, Tal was still Tal and Fischer wasn't yet Fischer. 

No I really don't! Please?

On classical games, 4 wins and 2 losses for Tal, with 5 draws, if I'm not wrong.

Thanks

Absolutely Kasparov. He was number one twenty years. Great Karpov was his opponent and he beat him, surviving after 0-5 in their first game. Fischer lost his tittle without play, no doubt, a fear of loosing, likeiy unconscious, was the reason. 

Fischer 

Both were amazing players. And absolute top of their fields.

But I have to give it to Kasparov. 

Fischer had  some amazing winning streaks. Against some of the very best players in the world, at that. 

But he never showed up, to defend his title.

Kasparov held his title for 20 years. Taking on all comers. And never backing down from a challenge.

And, like Fischer, he was a very hard worker, and had an unstoppable will to win, at all costs.

Bronstein is forgotten by everyone but i think if nerves didn't get the better of him in some games he would've narrowly beaten botvinnik.

They are both genius type players but Kasparov in his prime was stronger than Fischer in his prime.

Chess evolves......

This is historically inaccurate. Computers weren't strong enough to help top-flight players until after Kasparov had already won the World Championship and broken 2800 FIDE.

But Kasparov had mum's thermos.