Strongest of All Time

So who are the greatest chess players of all time? In doing a great deal of research in creating Chess Champs we discovered the answer!

Historical ratings were based on work done by Jeff Sonas. For ratings after the year 2000, FIDE rating lists were used. All ratings were determined by calculating the average rating over a 5 year period from January - December. Then taking the peak of those averages across the time that player was active.

We have not included any player whose peak was below 2700 which is why Judit Polgar makes the list but Hou Yifan doesn't for example.