The World Chess Championship (WCC) is the most prestigious tournament in chess, where the best players compete for the title of World Chess Champion.
It was first held in 1886, marking the beginning of a long and rich tradition in chess history. The first-ever World Chess Champion was Wilhelm Steinitz, who defeated Johannes Zukertort in 1886.
As of 2024, the current World Chess Champion is D. Gukesh, who made history by defeating Ding Liren in the final game held on December 12, 2024.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion ever. He is the first Indian to hold the title since Viswanathan Anand’s 2012 win.
In this article, we will explore the complete list of World Chess Championship winners from 1886 till now.
See More| D. Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion, Defeats Ding Liren
List of All World Chess Champions: Complete Timeline and Winners
The Classical World Chess Championship refers to the traditional title awarded to the world's best chess player, first contested in 1886 between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort.
This championship has a rich history and has been held through matches between reigning champions and challengers.
In contrast, the FIDE World Chess Championship was organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and began in 1948. The two titles diverged from 1993 to 2006 due to a split in the chess community, leading to separate championships.
The FIDE championship now encompasses a broader system of qualification and organisation, while the classical title is often viewed as the original lineage of chess champions.
According to Chess.com, here's the complete list of the winners of the World Chess Championship from 1886 till now. The list includes:
Classical World Chess Champions
| # | Player | Dates | Wins | Years Won |
| 1 | Wilhelm Steinitz | 1886-94 | 4 | 1886, 1889, 1890, 1892 |
| 2 | Emanuel Lasker | 1894-1921 | 6 | 1894, 1896, 1907, 1908, 1910*, 1910 |
| 3 | José Raúl Capablanca | 1921-27 | 1 | 1921 |
| 4 | Alexander Alekhine | 1927-35, 1937-46 | 4 | 1927, 1929, 1934, 1937 |
| 5 | Max Euwe | 1935-37 | 1 | 1935 |
| 6 | Mikhail Botvinnik | 1948-57, 1958-60, 1961-63 | 5 | 1948t, 1951*, 1954*, 1958, 1961 |
| 7 | Vasily Smyslov | 1957-58 | 1 | 1957 |
| 8 | Mikhail Tal | 1960-61 | 1 | 1960 |
| 9 | Tigran V. Petrosian | 1963-69 | 2 | 1963, 1966 |
| 10 | Boris Spassky | 1969-72 | 1 | 1969 |
| 11 | Bobby Fischer | 1972-75 | 1 | 1972 |
| 12 | Anatoly Karpov | 1975-85 | 3# | 1975d, 1978, 1981, 1984# |
| 13 | Garry Kasparov | 1985-2000 | 6 | 1985, 1986, 1987*, 1990, 1993, 1995 |
| 14 | Vladimir Kramnik | 2000-07 | 3 | 2000, 2004*, 2006** |
| 15 | Viswanathan Anand | 2007-13 | 4 | 2007t, 2008, 2010, 2012** |
| 16 | Magnus Carlsen | 2013-2023 | 5 | 2013, 2014, 2016**, 2018**, 2021 |
| 17 | Ding Liren | 2023-24 | 1 | 2023** |
| 18 | Gukesh Dommaraju | 2024-present | 1 | 2024 |
Notes: t - Tournament victory. * - Retained in drawn match. ** - Won in rapid/blitz tiebreaks. # - Leading match when canceled without official result. d - Default.
FIDE World Chess Champions (1993-2006)
| # | Player | Dates | Wins | Years Won |
| 1 | Anatoly Karpov | 1993-99 | 3 | 1993, 1996, 1998 |
| 2 | Alexander Khalifman | 1999-2000 | 1 | 1999k |
| 3 | Viswanathan Anand | 2000-02 | 1 | 2000k |
| 4 | Ruslan Ponomariov | 2002-04 | 1 | 2002k |
| 5 | Rustam Kasimdzhanov | 2004-05 | 1 | 2004k |
| 6 | Veselin Topalov | 2005-06 | 1 | 2005t |
Notes: k: FIDE World Chess Championship title retained in a drawn match; t: Tournament victory
Who is D. Gukesh, the Youngest World Chess Champion?
D. Gukesh, born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India, is an Indian chess prodigy who made history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion on December 12, 2024, at the age of 18.
He achieved this remarkable feat by defeating China's Ding Liren in the decisive 14th game of the FIDE World Chess Championship, finishing with a score of 7.5-6.5.
After winning the World Chess Championship, D. Gukesh expressed his overwhelming emotions, stating, "I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realised the dream and made it into reality."
He also acknowledged the significance of his victory, saying, "Every chess player wants to live this dream. I am living my dream." Gukesh praised his opponent, Ding Liren, calling him a true champion and highlighting the emotional impact of his win.
Gukesh's journey in chess began at a young age, and he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest Grandmaster in India in 2018. His victory not only marks a significant milestone for his career but also for Indian chess, as he is only the second Indian to hold the world title after Viswanathan Anand.
Also Read| World Chess Championship 2024: Schedule, Results, Winner Name, Match Dates and Time
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