Timeline of Chess World Champions: From Steinitz to Gukesh (1886–2025)

The World Chess Championship is the pinnacle of competitive chess — a title every player dreams of but only a select few have achieved. Since Wilhelm Steinitz became the first official World Champion in 1886, the title has passed through brilliant minds, legendary rivalries, and historic moments that shaped the game forever.

In 2024/25, Dommaraju Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion, marking a new era not only for India but for global chess.

This post takes you through a complete timeline of all Chess World Champions — from Steinitz’s pioneering reign to Gukesh’s breakthrough triumph.

The Classical Era (1886–1946)

The World Championship began as a series of head-to-head matches arranged by agreement between players.

• Wilhelm Steinitz (1886–1894) – The first official World Champion. Known as the “father of modern chess,” Steinitz introduced the concept of positional play.

• Emanuel Lasker (1894–1921) – Held the title for 27 years, the longest reign in chess history.

• José Raúl Capablanca (1921–1927) – The Cuban genius, admired for his endgame mastery and effortless style.

• Alexander Alekhine (1927–1935, 1937–1946) – Famous for his attacking creativity; the first champion to regain the title.

• Max Euwe (1935–1937) – Mathematics professor from the Netherlands who briefly dethroned Alekhine.

After Alekhine’s death in 1946, FIDE (the International Chess Federation) took control of the championship, formalizing the system.

The Soviet Domination (1948–1972)

From 1948 onward, the Soviet Union established unmatched dominance.

• Mikhail Botvinnik (1948–1957, 1958–1960, 1961–1963) – Known as the “Patriarch of Soviet Chess,” Botvinnik shaped generations of champions through his school.

• Vasily Smyslov (1957–1958) – A brilliant strategist and singer; held the crown for one year.

• Mikhail Tal (1960–1961) – The “Magician from Riga,” beloved for his daring sacrificial attacks.

• Tigran Petrosian (1963–1969) – Famous for impenetrable defense and prophylaxis.

• Boris Spassky (1969–1972) – A versatile champion whose universal style made him formidable.

  
  

The Fischer Era (1972–1975)

• Bobby Fischer (1972–1975) – The American genius who broke Soviet dominance by defeating Spassky in the 1972 “Match of the Century” in Reykjavik. His influence inspired a global chess boom.

Fischer refused to defend his title in 1975, and FIDE awarded the championship to his challenger, Anatoly Karpov.

The Karpov–Kasparov Rivalry (1975–2000)

The next 25 years were dominated by two titans of the game.

• Anatoly Karpov (1975–1985, FIDE Champion 1993–1999) – A positional master who ruled after Fischer. His calm precision made him nearly unbeatable.

• Garry Kasparov (1985–2000) – The youngest champion at 22, Kasparov’s dynamic play and preparation revolutionized chess. His epic matches against Karpov (1984–1990) remain the most famous rivalry in chess history.

  
  

The 2000s Transition (2000–2013)

• Vladimir Kramnik (2000–2007) – Defeated Kasparov in 2000, ending his 15-year reign. Kramnik’s deep strategic play was legendary.

• Viswanathan Anand (2007–2013) – India’s first World Champion. Anand successfully defended his crown multiple times (against Kramnik, Topalov, and Gelfand), making him a global icon.

  
  

The Carlsen Era (2013–2023)

• Magnus Carlsen (2013–2023) – From Norway, Carlsen dominated world chess for a decade. Known for his universal style, brilliant endgames, and psychological edge, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.

In 2023, Carlsen stepped down, opening the door for new champions.

The New Era: Ding Liren and Gukesh (2023–2025)

• Ding Liren (2023–2024) – The first Chinese World Champion, Ding won the crown by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2023. His victory was historic for Asian chess.

• Dommaraju Gukesh (2024/25 – Present) – The youngest undisputed World Champion, Gukesh’s victory brought the title back to India, sparking celebrations worldwide. His achievement represents a generational shift in chess.

Complete Timeline of Chess World Champions

Here’s a simplified timeline for quick reference:

• 1886 – Wilhelm Steinitz

• 1894 – Emanuel Lasker

• 1921 – José Raúl Capablanca

• 1927 – Alexander Alekhine

• 1935 – Max Euwe

• 1937 – Alexander Alekhine

• 1948 – Mikhail Botvinnik

• 1957 – Vasily Smyslov

• 1960 – Mikhail Tal

• 1963 – Tigran Petrosian

• 1969 – Boris Spassky

• 1972 – Bobby Fischer

• 1975 – Anatoly Karpov

• 1985 – Garry Kasparov

• 2000 – Vladimir Kramnik

• 2007 – Viswanathan Anand

• 2013 – Magnus Carlsen

• 2023 – Ding Liren

• 2024/25 – Dommaraju Gukesh