In a tournament with Paul Morphy, Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, who would win? Write your own standings!
1.Carlsen 2.Fischer 3.Kasparov 4.Tal 5.Morphy
In my opinion
In my opinion
Kasparov, Fischer, Carlsen, Morphy, Tal. With battle between 1-3 and 4-5 being a close call.
I wonder what modern superengines would say about move accuracy of Morphy and Tal in their games. They both are brilliant geniuses. But Morphy did not have today's huge grandmaster preparation backup since he lived in another era, so a modern superGM would have most likely put a pragmatic constraint on Morphy's talented play. Tal is a chess romantic who would beat any top player within a single match, but would not survive an imaginary tournament between several chess gods, as the latter requires more solid and consistent play.
All in all, it seems exciting to realize that this question remains an eternal intriguing puzzle for all true chess lovers:) a question you may occasionally come back to and each time leave with no answer.
I wonder what modern superengines would say about move accuracy of Morphy and Tal in their games. They both are brilliant geniuses. But Morphy did not have today's huge grandmaster preparation backup since he lived in another era, so a modern superGM would have most likely put a pragmatic constraint on Morphy's talented play. Tal is a chess romantic who would beat any top player within a single match, but would not survive an imaginary tournament between several chess gods, as the latter requires more solid and consistent play.
All in all, it seems exciting to realize that this question remains an eternal intriguing puzzle for all true chess lovers:) a question you may occasionally come back to and each time leave with no answer.
Well, playing strength increased steadily. The old masters probably wouldn't win any money in a high class tournament today.
Exactly. Hence (almost certainly): 1.Carlsen. 2. Kasparov. 3. Fischer. 4. Tal. 5. Morphy.
Actually Tal would win the booze trophy.
Haha. And the ladies'. Although, Kasparov might come close there.
"Tal is a chess romantic who would beat any top player within a single match, but would not survive an imaginary tournament between several chess gods, as the latter requires more solid and consistent play."
I believe Tal has the record for the longest streak without a loss, 95 games if I'm correct.
I believe Tal has the record for the longest streak without a loss, 95 games if I'm correct.
True, but only after having adapted a very pragmatic playing style in the 70s. Not so much a romantic anymore, although occasionally you could see a glimpse of the old days Tal, e.g. in the 1979 game vs. Polugaevsky
Nevertheless, Tal was never close to making it to the championship match in the 1970s. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I would also consider adding other chess champions to the imaginary tournament: Capablanca, Alekhine, Botwinnik, Karpov and Anand. Obviously, this group would be fully competitive as compared to the first one.
I would also consider adding other chess champions to the imaginary tournament: Capablanca, Alekhine, Botwinnik, Karpov and Anand. Obviously, this group would be fully competitive as compared to the first one.
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