At the highest level of the game, the World Chess Championship is the ultimate prize, with players vying for the title of the best chess player in the world.
Emmanuel Lasker holds the record for the longest reign as World Chess Champion, holding the title for 27 years from 1894 to 1921.
Garry Kasparov has won 6 World Championship matches. (1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1995)
Magnus Carlsen has won 5 World Championship matches. (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021)
Below we will look at the history of the World Chess Championship and delve into the players who have won it the most times.
The History of the World Chess Championship
The World Chess Championship is a prestigious title that has been contested since 1886.
The championship is organized by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the international governing body for chess.
Over the years, the format and rules of the championship have evolved, but the goal remains the same – to determine the world’s best chess player.
The first official World Chess Championship match took place in 1886 between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort.
Steinitz emerged victorious, becoming the first recognized World Chess Champion. Since then, the championship has seen many legendary players compete for the title.
Players Who Have Won the Most World Chess Championships
Over the course of history, several players have left an indelible mark on the World Chess Championship by winning it multiple times.
Let’s take a closer look at these chess prodigies:
1. Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time. Born in 1963 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Kasparov became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion in 1985 at the age of 22.
He held the title for 15 years until 2000, winning a total of six World Chess Championships.
Kasparov’s aggressive and dynamic style of play revolutionized the game, and he dominated the chess world during his reign.
His matches against Anatoly Karpov in the 1980s are legendary, with Kasparov successfully defending his title against Karpov three times.
The first 1984 match was called off after both players started experiencing ill effects from the duration of the match, which had lasted months due to only wins counting toward the final score.
2. Anatoly Karpov
Anatoly Karpov, born in 1951 in Zlatoust, Soviet Union, is another chess legend who has won the World Chess Championship multiple times.
Karpov became the twelfth World Chess Champion in 1975 when Bobby Fischer forfeited the title. He held the championship for ten years until 1985.
Karpov’s strategic and positional style of play made him a formidable opponent.
He successfully defended his title against Viktor Korchnoi in two intense matches in 1978 and 1981.
Karpov won the World Chess Championship a total of three times.
3. Magnus Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen, born in 1990 in Tonsberg, Norway, is the former World Chess Champion after giving up the title after his 2021 win.
Carlsen achieved the title in 2013 after defeating Viswanathan Anand.
He has successfully defended his title in subsequent matches, solidifying his position as one of the strongest players in the history of chess.
Carlsen’s intuitive and versatile style of play has earned him comparisons to the legendary Bobby Fischer.
He has a deep understanding of the game and excels in both positional and tactical play.
4. Emanuel Lasker
Emanuel Lasker, born in 1868 in Berlinchen, Prussia, was the second World Chess Champion and held the title for a record-breaking 27 years from 1894 to 1921.
Lasker’s reign as champion is the longest in the history of the World Chess Championship.
Lasker was known for his resourcefulness and ability to find creative solutions on the chessboard.
He successfully defended his title against several formidable opponents, including Frank Marshall and Siegbert Tarrasch.
Lasker won the World Chess Championship a total of five times.
5. Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand, born in 1969 in Chennai, India, is one of the most successful chess players from Asia.
Anand became the fifteenth World Chess Champion in 2000 (according to FIDE) after defeating Alexei Shirov.
He held the title for six years until 2007 and later lost to Magnus Carlsen in 2013 and 2014.
Anand’s dynamic and tactical style of play earned him the nickname “The Tiger from Madras.”
He successfully defended his title against challengers such as Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand.
Anand has won the World Chess Championship a total of five times.
FAQs – Who Has Won the Most World Chess Championships?
1. Who has won the most World Chess Championships?
Garry Kasparov holds the record for the most World Chess Championships, with a total of six victories.
2. How many times has Magnus Carlsen won the World Chess Championship?
Magnus Carlsen has won the World Chess Championship four times.
3. Who is the current World Chess Champion?
Magnus Carlsen is the current World Chess Champion.
4. How many times did Anatoly Karpov win the World Chess Championship?
Anatoly Karpov won the World Chess Championship three times.
5. Who held the World Chess Championship for the longest period?
Emanuel Lasker held the World Chess Championship for a record-breaking 27 years from 1894 to 1921.
6. How many times did Viswanathan Anand win the World Chess Championship?
Viswanathan Anand won the World Chess Championship five times.
7. Who was the youngest World Chess Champion?
Garry Kasparov became the youngest World Chess Champion in 1985 at the age of 22.
8. Who was the second World Chess Champion?
Emanuel Lasker was the second World Chess Champion.
9. How long did Magnus Carlsen hold the World Chess Championship?
Magnus Carlsen has held the World Chess Championship since 2013, making it eight years as of now.
10. Who did Garry Kasparov have intense matches against?
Garry Kasparov had intense matches against Anatoly Karpov in the 1980s.
11. Who did Anatoly Karpov successfully defend his title against?
Anatoly Karpov successfully defended his title against Viktor Korchnoi in two matches in 1978 and 1981.
12. What is FIDE?
FIDE stands for Fédération Internationale des Échecs, which is the international governing body for chess.
13. Who is known as “The Tiger from Madras”?
Viswanathan Anand is known as “The Tiger from Madras.”
14. Who is often compared to Magnus Carlsen?
Magnus Carlsen is often compared to the legendary Bobby Fischer.
15. How many World Chess Championships did Emanuel Lasker win?
Emanuel Lasker won the World Chess Championship five times.
Summary – Who Has Won the Most World Chess Championships?
In summary, several players have made their mark on the World Chess Championship by winning it multiple times.
Garry Kasparov holds the record for the most World Chess Championships, with a total of six victories. He is followed by Emanuel Lasker and Anatoly Karpov, who have won the championship five and three times, respectively.
Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand have both won the championship four times.
These players have not only showcased their exceptional skills and mastery of the game but have also left a lasting legacy in the world of chess.
Their contributions have shaped the way chess is played and continue to inspire future generations of chess players.
