World Champions since 1886

The concept of a world chess champion started to emerge in the first half of the 19th century, and the phrase "world champion" first appeared in 1845.

From 1948 to 1993, the championship was administered by the World Chess Federation (FIDE), but in 1993, the reigning champion Garry Kasparov broke away from FIDE, which led to the creation of the rival PCA championship. The titles were unified at the World Chess Championship 2006.

Current world champion Magnus Carlsen won the World Chess Championship 2013 against Viswanathan Anand and successfully defended his title against Anand in the World Chess Championship 2014 and against Sergey Karjakin in 2016; Carlsen is set to defend his title again in the World Chess Championship in November of 2018.

Classical World Chess Champions (Official List)

• Magnus Carlsen (2013-current)
• Viswanathan Anand (2007-2013)
• Vladimir Kramnik (2000-2007)
• Garry Kasparov (1985-2000)
• Anatoly Karpov (1975-1985)
• Robert James "Bobby" Fischer (1972-1975)
• Boris Spassky (1969-1972)
• Tigran Petrosian (1963-1969)
• Mikhail Tal (1960-1961)
• Vasily Smyslov (1957-1958)
• Mikhail Botvinnik (1948-1957, 1958-1960, 1961-1963)
• Max Euwe (1935-1937)
• Alexander Alekhine (1927-1935, 1937-1946)
• Jose Raul Capablanca (1921-1927)
• Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921)
• Wilhelm Steinitz (1886-1894)

FIDE World Chess Champions

When Garry Kasparov split with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and organized his 1993 World Championship match with Nigel Short, FIDE declared that they still controlled the World Championship title and staged their own championships. While the FIDE title did not carry the prestige of the classical World Championship, these players are still worth noting for their historical impact on the game.

• Veselin Topalov (2005-2006)
• Rustam Kasimdzhanov (2004-2005)
• Ruslan Ponomariov (2002-2004)
• Viswanathan Anand (2000-2002)
• Alexander Khalifman (1999-2000)
• Anatoly Karpov (1993-1999)

In 2006, the two titles were united when Classical World Champion Vladimir Kramnik defeated FIDE Champion Veselin Topalov in a reunification match.