List of chess players by peak FIDE rating

Last updated

This list of top-ranked chess grandmasters is ordered by their peak Elo rating. The cut-off value is 2700 for men (players with a rating at or above this value are colloquially known as super grandmasters) and 2500 for women.

Contents

Notably, only six players achieved their over-2700 peak before the year 2000 and twenty-one players achieved their respective peak between the years 2000 and 2009 (inclusive).

List

FIDE players ordered by peak Elo rating [1] [2]
CountryPlayerPeak ratingAchievedBirth yearDeath yearNotes

2800+

1Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Magnus Carlsen 28822014-051990Highest-ranked player (2013), world no. 1 (2010, 2011, 2011), former World Chess Champion (20132023), highest-ranked Norwegian player (2006–)
2Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Garry Kasparov 28511999-071963Highest-ranked Russian player, formerly world no. 1 (19841993, 19952006), former world champion (19852000), first player to achieve 2800+ rating, formerly highest-ranked player (19902012), highest-ranked Soviet-born player (since 1986)
3Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Fabiano Caruana 28442014-101992Highest-ranked American player (since 2015), formerly highest-ranked Italian player (2007–2015)
4Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Levon Aronian 28302014-031982Formerly highest-ranked Armenian player (2005–2021)
5Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Wesley So 28222017-021993Highest-ranked Filipino-born player, formerly highest-ranked Filipino player (2009–2014)
6Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 28202018-091985Highest-ranked Azerbaijani player (2006, 2007–2008, 2010–2011, 2017–)
7Flag of France.svg  France Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 28192016-081990Highest-ranked French player (2013, since 2014)
8Flag of India.svg  India Viswanathan Anand 28172011-031969Highest-ranked Indian player (since 1987), former world champion (20072013, FIDE 20002002), formerly world no. 1 (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Vladimir Kramnik 28172016-101975Former world champion (20002007), formerly world no. 1 (1996, 2008), formerly youngest player to achieve 2800+ rating
10Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Veselin Topalov 28162015-071975Highest-ranked Bulgarian player (since 1993), former world champion (FIDE 20052006), formerly world no. 1 (20062007, 20082009)
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Hikaru Nakamura 28162015-101987Formerly highest-ranked American player (2011–2015)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Ding Liren 28162018-111992Highest-ranked Chinese player (since 2015), former World Chess Champion (2023–2024)
13Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Alexander Grischuk 28102014-121983
14Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Flag of France.svg  France
Alireza Firouzja 28042021-122003Highest-ranked Iranian-born player, formerly highest-ranked Iranian player (2019), youngest player to achieve 2800+ rating
15Flag of India.svg  India Arjun Erigaisi 28012024-122003

2775–2799

16Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Anish Giri 27982015-101994Highest-ranked Dutch player (since 2011)
17Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Ian Nepomniachtchi 27952023-031990
18Flag of India.svg  India Gukesh Dommaraju 27942024-102006Current World Chess Champion (since 2024)
19Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Teimour Radjabov 27932012-111987Formerly highest-ranked Azerbaijani player (2002–2005, 2006, 2009–2010, 2011–2017)
20Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Alexander Morozevich 27882008-071977
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Sergey Karjakin 27882011-071990Highest-ranked Ukrainian-born player, formerly youngest grandmaster (20022021)
22Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Vasyl Ivanchuk 27872007-101969Highest-ranked Ukrainian player (1992–2002, since 2005)
23Flag of the United States.svg  United States Bobby Fischer 27851972-0719432008Former world champion (19721975), formerly highest-ranked player (19711989), formerly highest-ranked American player (1971–2008), formerly world no. 1 (19711975), formerly youngest grandmaster (19581991), first player to achieve 2700+ rating
24Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Nodirbek Abdusattorov 27832024-102004Highest-ranked Uzbekistani player (since 2023)
25Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Anatoly Karpov 27801994-071951Former world champion (19751985, FIDE 19931999), formerly world no. 1 (19761983, 1985, 1994), formerly highest-ranked Soviet player (1974–1986)
26Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Boris Gelfand 27772013-111968Highest-ranked Israeli player (since 1999), formerly highest-ranked Belarusian player (1993–1998)
27Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Richárd Rapport 27762022-041996Highest-ranked Hungarian player (2021–2022, since 2024), formerly highest-ranked Romanian player (2022-2024)

2750–2774


28Flag of India.svg  India Pentala Harikrishna 27702016-121986
29Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Peter Svidler 27692013-051976
30Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Leinier Domínguez 27682014-051983Highest-ranked Cuban-born player, formerly highest-ranked Cuban player (1998–2001, 2001–2003, 2004–2005, 2007–2018)
31Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Pavel Eljanov 27652016-031983
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Yu Yangyi 27652018-091994
33Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Ruslan Ponomariov 27642011-071983Former world chess champion (FIDE 20022004), formerly youngest grandmaster (19971999), formerly highest-ranked Ukrainian player (2002–2005)
34Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Peter Leko 27632005-041979Formerly youngest grandmaster (19941997), formerly highest-ranked Hungarian player (1999–2021, 2022–2024)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Gata Kamsky 27632013-071974Formerly highest-ranked American player (2008–2010)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Wang Hao 27632020-041989
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Wei Yi 27632024-101999Youngest player to achieve 2700+ rating
38Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Vugar Gashimov 27612012-0119862014
Flag of England.svg  England Michael Adams 27612013-091971Highest-ranked English player (since 1998)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Vladislav Artemiev 27612019-061998
41Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Dmitry Jakovenko 27602009-011983
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Jan-Krzysztof Duda 27602021-121998Highest-ranked Polish player (since 2019)
43Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Evgeny Tomashevsky 27582015-091987
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Li Chao 27582016-061989
45Flag of India.svg  India Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa 27572024-072005
46Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Wang Yue 27562010-111987Formerly highest-ranked Chinese player (2007–2008, 2008–2015)
47Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Alexei Shirov 27552008-011972Highest-ranked Spanish player (1995–2011, since 2018), formerly highest-ranked Latvian player (1992–1994, 2011–2018)
48Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia
Sergei Movsesian 27512009-011978Formerely highest-ranked Czech player (1999–2002), formerly highest-ranked Slovak player (2002–2010), highest-ranked Armenian player (since 2021)
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic David Navara 27512015-051985Highest-ranked Czech player (since 2005)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of England.svg  England
Nikita Vitiugov 27512019-111987
51Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Radosław Wojtaszek 27502017-011987Formerly highest-ranked Polish player (2010–2019)

2725–2749

52Flag of France.svg  France Étienne Bacrot 27492013-111983Formerly highest-ranked French player (2004–2013, 2013–2014), formerly youngest grandmaster (1997)
53Flag of India.svg  India Vidit Gujrathi 27472024-021994
54Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Dmitry Andreikin 27432016-061990
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Vincent Keymer 27432024-012004Highest-ranked German player (since 2023)
56Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Parham Maghsoodloo 27422023-122000Highest-ranked Iranian player (2018–2019, since 2019)
57Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam Lê Quang Liêm 27412024-081991Highest-ranked Vietnamese player (since 2009)
58Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Evgeny Bareev 27392003-101966Highest-ranked Canadian player (since 2015)
59Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Maxim Matlakov 27382017-111991
60Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
Arkadij Naiditsch 27372013-121985Formerly highest-ranked German player (2006–2008, 2009–2015)
61Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Judit Polgár 27352005-071976Highest-ranked female player; first and only female player to achieve 2700+ rating, only female player to be ranked in the world's top 10, formerly youngest grandmaster (19911994), formerly highest-ranked Hungarian player (1996–1998)
62Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova
Viktor Bologan 27342012-081971Highest-ranked Moldovan player
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Baadur Jobava 27342012-091983Highest-ranked Georgian player (since 2010)
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Hans Niemann 27342024-112003
65Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia
Vladimir Fedoseev 27332017-101995Highest-ranked Slovenian player (since 2023)
66Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Vladimir Malakhov 27322010-071980
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Ernesto Inarkiev 27322016-091985
68Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Bu Xiangzhi 27312019-021985Formerly youngest grandmaster (19992002), formerly highest-ranked Chinese player (2008)
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Samuel Shankland 27312019-021991
70Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Zoltán Almási 27262011-071976
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Alexander Moiseenko 27262011-091980
72Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Evgeny Alekseev 27252009-091985
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Andrei Volokitin 27252013-031986

2700–2724

74Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Ni Hua 27242009-041983
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Francisco Vallejo Pons 27242011-071982Formerly highest-ranked Spanish player (2012–2018)
76Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Anton Korobov 27232014-011985
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Andrey Esipenko 27232022-032002
78Flag of India.svg  India Krishnan Sasikiran 27202012-051981
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Alexander Riazantsev 27202012-071985
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Alexander Areshchenko 27202012-121986
Flag of France.svg  France Laurent Fressinet 27202015-061981
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Daniil Dubov 27202021-121996
83Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
Ivan Cheparinov 27182018-081986
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Amin Tabatabaei 27182024-072001
Flag of India.svg  India Aravindh Chithambaram 27182024-121999
86Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Lázaro Bruzón 27172012-101982Formerly highest-ranked Cuban player (2001, 2003–2004, 2005–2007, 2018–2020)
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Yuriy Kryvoruchko 27172015-111986
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia
Alexey Sarana 27172024-072000Highest-ranked Serbian player (since 2023)
89Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Valery Salov 27151995-011964
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Rustam Kasimdzhanov 27152015-051979Former world chess champion (FIDE 20042005), formerly highest-ranked Uzbekistani player (2000–2023)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
Kirill Alekseenko 27152019-111997Highest-ranked Austrian player (since 2023)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Jorden van Foreest 27152022-051999
93Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Loek van Wely 27142001-101972Formerly highest-ranked Dutch player (2001–2011)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Denis Khismatullin 27142014-031984
95Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Vladimir Akopian 27132006-071971Formerly highest-ranked Armenian player (1995–2005)
Flag of England.svg  England Luke McShane 27132012-071984
97Flag of England.svg  England Nigel Short 27122004-041965Formerly highest-ranked English player (1987–1998)
Flag of England.svg  England David Howell 27122015-081990
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Bassem Amin 27122019-011988Highest-ranked Egyptian player (since 2012), highest-ranked African player (since 2012)
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Jeffery Xiong 27122019-112000
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
Sanan Sjugirov 27122022-111993
102Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Alexey Dreev 27112011-071969
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Gabriel Sargissian 27112022-091983
104Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia
Alexander Beliavsky 27101997-071953Formerly highest-ranked Slovenian player (1996–2023)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Alexander Motylev 27102009-071979
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Maxim Rodshtein 27102016-031989
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Bogdan-Daniel Deac 27102022-092001Highest-ranked Romanian player (2021–2022, since 2024)
108Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Rauf Mamedov 27092017-121988
Flag of England.svg  England Gawain Jones 27092019-061987
110Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Zahar Efimenko 27082011-031985
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Haik M. Martirosyan 27082023-112000
112Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu 27072005-101976Formerly highest-ranked Romanian player (1998–2000, 2003–2014), formerly highest-ranked German player (2015–2023)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Evgeny Najer 27072017-081977
114Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Ivan Sokolov 27062004-011968Formerly highest-ranked Bosnian-Herzegovinian player (1993–1994, 1996–2002, 2009–2010)
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Ferenc Berkes 27062011-091985
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Sergei Rublevsky 27062013-111974
117Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
Mikhail Tal 27051980-0119361992Former world champion (19601961), formerly highest-ranked Latvian player (1992)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Vadim Milov 27052008-071972Highest-ranked Swiss player (since 2008)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Boris Grachev 27052012-031986
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Jon Ludvig Hammer 27052016-021990
121Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Viktor Láznička 27042012-011989
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Ray Robson 27042023-041994
123Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Emil Sutovsky 27032012-011977
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria Markus Ragger 27032017-021988Formerly highest-ranked Austrian player (2010–2023)
Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus Vladislav Kovalev 27032019-021994Highest-ranked Belarusian player (since 2019)
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Ivan Šarić 27032019-031990Highest-ranked Croatian player (since 2011)
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain David Antón Guijarro 27032020-031995
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Samuel Sevian 27032022-052000
129Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
Michał Krasenkow 27022000-071963Formerly highest-ranked Polish player (1996–2010)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Ilya Smirin 27022001-071968
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Alexander Khalifman 27022001-101966Former world chess champion (FIDE 19992000), formerly highest-ranked German player (1991–1992)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
Zurab Azmaiparashvili 27022003-071960Formerly highest-ranked Georgian player (1992–1994, 1996–2009)
Flag of France.svg  France Romain Edouard 27022014-061990
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
Igor Kovalenko 27022015-081988Formerly highest-ranked Latvian player (2018–2021)
135Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Alexander Onischuk 27012010-071975
Flag of India.svg  India Adhiban Baskaran 27012019-041992
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Javokhir Sindarov 27012023-122005
138Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Peter Heine Nielsen 27002010-071973Highest-ranked Danish player (since 2004)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Igor Lysyj 27002015-011987

Highest-rated female players

FIDE women players ordered by peak Elo rating
CountryPlayerPeak ratingAchievedBirth yearDeath yearNotes

2700+

1Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Judit Polgár 27352005-071976Highest-ranked female player (since 1992), highest-ranked Hungarian female player (since 1989), formerly youngest grandmaster (1991–1994), formerly youngest female grandmaster (1991–2002), formerly female world no. 1 (1989–2015)

2600-2699

2Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Hou Yifan 26862015-031994Youngest female grandmaster (since 2008), female world no. 1 (since 2015), highest-ranked Chinese female player (since 2008)
3Flag of India.svg  India Koneru Humpy 26232009-071987Highest-ranked Indian female player (since 2001), formerly youngest female grandmaster (2002–2008)
4Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Aleksandra Goryachkina 26112021-081998Formerly highest-ranked Russian female player (2020–2023)
5Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia
Anna Muzychuk 26062012-071990Highest-ranked Ukrainian female player (since 2014), formerly highest-ranked Slovenian female player (2004–2014)
6Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Ju Wenjun 26042017-031991

2500-2599

7Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Tatiana Kosintseva 25812010-111986Highest-ranked Russian female player (2010–2020, since 2023)
8Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Zhao Xue 25792013-091985
9Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Susan Polgar 25772005-011969Formerly youngest female grandmaster (1991), formerly female world no. 1 (1984–1985, 1986), formerly highest-ranked Hungarian female player (1984–1988), formerly highest-ranked American female player (2003–2019)
10Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Nadezhda Kosintseva 25762010-111985
11Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Xie Jun 25742008-011970Formerly highest-ranked Chinese female player (1990–2008)
12Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Nana Dzagnidze 25732015-061987Highest-ranked Georgian female player (since 2011)
13Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Mariya Muzychuk 25632016-031992
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Kateryna Lagno 25632022-101989Formerly highest-ranked Ukrainian female player (2003–2014)
15Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Alexandra Kosteniuk 25612018-011984Highest-ranked Swiss female player (since 2023)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Tan Zhongyi 25612024-121991
17Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
Maia Chiburdanidze 25601988-011961Formerly highest-ranked female player (1985–1992), formerly youngest female grandmaster (1984–1991), formerly female world no. 1 (1980–1982, 1983, 1985–1986, 1987–1988), formerly highest-ranked Soviet female player (1985–1992), formerly highest-ranked Georgian female player (1992–2011)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Alisa Galliamova 25601998-071972Formerly highest-ranked Ukrainian female player (1992–1996), formerly highest-ranked Russian female player (1996–2010)
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Antoaneta Stefanova 25602003-011979Highest-ranked Bulgarian female player (1994, since 1995)
20Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Lei Tingjie 25542023-051997
21Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Pia Cramling 25502008-101963Formerly female world no. 1 (1983, 1984), highest-ranked Swedish female player (since 1981)
22Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Zhu Chen 25482008-011976Highest-ranked Qatari female player (since 2006)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Valentina Gunina 25482015-061989
24Flag of India.svg  India Harika Dronavalli 25432016-111991
25Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen 25422017-061983Highest-ranked Lithuanian female player (since 1999)
26Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Anna Zatonskih 25372011-051978Highest-ranked American female player (since 2019)
Flag of France.svg  France Marie Sebag 25372013-031986Highest-ranked French female player (since 2007)
28Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Bella Khotenashvili 25312013-061988
29Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Nino Batsiashvili 25282018-031987
30Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Elina Danielian 25212011-071978Highest-ranked Armenian female player (1994–2002, 2004–2005, since 2008)
31Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
Nana Ioseliani 25201997-071962
32Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Dinara Saduakassova 25192020-011996Highest-ranked Kazakhstani female player (2014–2016, 2017–2018, since 2018)
33Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Xu Yuhua 25172006-041976
34Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Polina Shuvalova 25162021-122001
35Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Zhu Jiner 25142024-112002
36Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Elisabeth Pähtz 25132018-091985Highest-ranked German female player (since 2008)
37Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Wang Lei 25122001-101975
38Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
Hoang Thanh Trang 25112013-111980Formerly highest-ranked Vietnamese female player (1992–2006)
39Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Natalia Pogonina 25082014-071985
40Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Ekaterina Kovalevskaya 25072001-071974
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Zhansaya Abdumalik 25072021-102000Formerly highest-ranked Kazakhstani female player (2017, 2018)
42Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant 25062009-071968Highest-ranked Scottish female player (since 2008)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Wang Pin 25062000-101974
Flag of India.svg  India Vaishali Rameshbabu 25062024-082001
45Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Sofia Polgar 25051998-071974
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Monika Soćko 25052008-041978Highest-ranked Polish female player (1999–2001, since 2005, shared since 2022)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Olga Girya 25052017-091991
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
Alina Kashlinskaya 25052022-061993Highest-ranked Polish female player (shared since 2022)
49Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Lilit Mkrtchian 25032010-011982Formerly highest-ranked Armenian female player (2002–2003, 2005–2007)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Ruan Lufei 25032014-011987
51Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Svetlana Matveeva 25022004-011969Formerly highest-ranked Russian female player (1992, 1994–1996), formerly highest-ranked Kyrgyzstani female player (1993)
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Anna Ushenina 25022007-071985
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Irina Krush 25022013-101983Formerly highest-ranked American female player (2002)
54Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Qin Kanying 25012000-071974
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova
Flag of France.svg  France
Almira Skripchenko 25012003-011976Formerly highest-ranked Moldovan female player (1995–2001), highest-ranked French female player (2002–2007)
Flag of India.svg  India Divya Deshmukh 25012024-102005
57Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Lela Javakhishvili 25002010-031984

Highest ratings by decade

This section lists the top 20 active [a] players by peak FIDE rating achieved in every decade since 1971, when FIDE started officially publishing rating lists.

1970s

Chess players ordered by peak FIDE rating in 1970s
CountryPlayerPeak rating in 1970sAchieved
1 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Fischer 27851972-07
2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Anatoly Karpov 27251978-01
3 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Viktor Korchnoi 26951979-01
4 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Boris Spassky 26901971-07
5 Flag of Denmark.svg Bent Larsen 26601971-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Mikhail Tal 26601973-07
7 Flag of Hungary.svg Lajos Portisch 26501973-07
8 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Tigran Petrosian 26451972-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Lev Polugaevsky 26451972-07
10 Flag of Brazil.svg Henrique Mecking 26351977-01
11 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Mikhail Botvinnik 26301971-07
12 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Flag of the United States.svg Lubomir Kavalek 26251974-05
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Timman 26251979-01
14 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vassily Smyslov 26201971-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Leonid Stein 26201972-07
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Ljubomir Ljubojević 26201976-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Efim Geller 26201976-01
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Vlastimil Hort 26201977-01
19 Flag of Estonia.svg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Paul Keres 26151971-07
Flag of Germany.svg Robert Hübner 26151974-05
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jan Smejkal 26151976-01

1980s

Chess players ordered by peak FIDE rating in 1980s
CountryPlayerPeak rating in 1980sAchieved
1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Garry Kasparov 27751989-01
2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Anatoly Karpov 27551989-07
3 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Mikhail Tal 27051980-01
4 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Viktor Korchnoi 26951980-01
5 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Timman 26751988-01
6 Flag of England.svg Nigel Short 26651988-07
7 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Artur Yusupov 26601986-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vasyl Ivanchuk 26601989-07
9 Flag of Hungary.svg Lajos Portisch 26551980-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Alexander Beliavsky 26551988-07
11 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Ljubomir Ljubojević 26451983-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Rafael Vaganian 26451986-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Andrei Sokolov 26451987-01
Flag of England.svg Jonathan Speelman 26451988-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Valery Salov 26451989-07
16 Flag of Germany.svg Robert Hübner 26401981-07
Flag of Sweden.svg Ulf Andersson 26401983-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Mikhail Gurevich 26401989-07
19 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Lev Polugaevsky 26351980-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of France.svg Boris Spassky 26351981-01

1990s

Chess players ordered by peak FIDE rating in 1990s
CountryPlayerPeak rating in 1990sAchieved
1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Garry Kasparov 28511999-07
2 Flag of India.svg Viswanathan Anand 27951998-07
3 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Vladimir Kramnik 27901998-01
4 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Anatoly Karpov 27801994-07
5 Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Morozevich 27581999-07
6 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Veselin Topalov 27501996-07
7 Flag of the United States.svg Gata Kamsky 27451996-07
8 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Latvia.svg Flag of Spain.svg Alexei Shirov 27401994-07
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Ukraine.svg Vasyl Ivanchuk 27401995-07
10 Flag of England.svg Michael Adams 27161999-01
11 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Valery Salov 27151995-01
12 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Peter Svidler 27131999-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Belarus.svg Flag of Israel.svg Boris Gelfand 27131999-07
14 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Ukraine.svg Flag of Slovenia.svg Alexander Beliavsky 27101997-07
15 Flag of Hungary.svg Peter Leko 27011999-07
16 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Evgeny Bareev 26981999-07
17 Flag of England.svg Nigel Short 26971999-01
18 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Sergei Rublevsky 26851998-07
19 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Flag of Georgia.svg Zurab Azmaiparashvili 26811999-01
20 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Timman 26801990-01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of Russia.svg Flag of Germany.svg Artur Yusupov 26801995-07

2000s

Chess players ordered by peak FIDE rating in 2000s
CountryPlayerPeak rating in 2000sAchieved
1 Flag of Russia.svg Garry Kasparov 28512000-01
2 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Veselin Topalov 28132006-07
3 Flag of Russia.svg Vladimir Kramnik 2811 [b] 2002-01
4 Flag of India.svg Viswanathan Anand 28032006-04
5 Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 28012009-11
6 Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Morozevich 27882008-07
7 Flag of Ukraine.svg Vasyl Ivanchuk 27872007-10
8 Flag of Armenia.svg Flag of Germany.svg Levon Aronian 27862009-11
9 Flag of Russia.svg Peter Svidler 27652006-01
10 Flag of Hungary.svg Peter Leko 27632005-04
11 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 27612009-01
12 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 27602008-01
Flag of Russia.svg Dmitry Jakovenko 27602009-01
14 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Vugar Gashimov 27582009-11
Flag of Israel.svg Boris Gelfand 27582009-11
16 Flag of Spain.svg Alexei Shirov 27552008-01
Flag of England.svg Michael Adams 27552000-07
18 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Flag of Slovakia.svg Sergei Movsesian 27512009-01
19 Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Grischuk 27482009-04
20 Flag of Ukraine.svg Ruslan Ponomariov 27432002-04

2010s

Chess players ordered by peak FIDE rating in 2010s
CountryPlayerPeak rating in 2010sAchieved
1 Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 28822014-05
2 Flag of Italy.svg Flag of the United States.svg Fabiano Caruana 28442014-10
3 Flag of Armenia.svg Levon Aronian 28302014-03
4 Flag of the Philippines.svg Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 28222017-02
5 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 28202018-09
6 Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 28192016-08
7 Flag of India.svg Viswanathan Anand 28172011-03
Flag of Russia.svg Vladimir Kramnik 28172016-10
9 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Veselin Topalov 28162015-07
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 28162015-10
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren 28162018-11
12 Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Grischuk 28102014-12
13 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 27982015-10
14 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 27932012-11
15 Flag of Russia.svg Sergey Karjakin 27882011-07
16 Flag of Ukraine.svg Vasyl Ivanchuk 27792011-03
17 Flag of Israel.svg Boris Gelfand 27772013-11
18 Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 27762019-09
19 Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Morozevich 27702012-07
Flag of India.svg Pentala Harikrishna 27702016-12

2020s

Chess players ordered by peak FIDE rating in 2020s
CountryPlayerPeak rating in 2020sAchieved
1 Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen 28722020-01
2 Flag of the United States.svg Fabiano Caruana 28422020-02
3 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Liren 28112022-10
4 Flag of France.svg Alireza Firouzja 28042021-12
5 Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura 28022024-07
6 Flag of India.svg Arjun Erigaisi 28012024-12
7 Flag of Russia.svg Ian Nepomniachtchi 27952023-03
8 Flag of India.svg Dommaraju Gukesh 27942024-10
9 Flag of Armenia.svg Flag of the United States.svg Levon Aronian 27852022-03
10 Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 27842020-10
11 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nodirbek Abdusattorov 27832024-10
12 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 27822021-07
13 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anish Giri 27802021-05
14 Flag of Russia.svg Alexander Grischuk 27782021-07
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley So 27782021-09
16 Flag of Hungary.svg Flag of Romania.svg Richárd Rapport 27762022-04
17 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Teimour Radjabov 27652020-01
18 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Wang Hao 27632020-04
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Wei Yi 27632024-10
20 Flag of the United States.svg Leinier Domínguez 27602021-09
Flag of Poland.svg Jan-Krzysztof Duda 27602021-12

List of rating peaks throughout history

PlayerRatingAchieved
Bobby Fischer 27601971-07
27851972-07
Garry Kasparov 28001990-01
28051993-01
28151993-07
28201997-07
28251998-01
28511999-07
Magnus Carlsen 28612013-01
28722013-02
28812014-03
28822014-05

See also

Notes

  1. FIDE considers a player active if they played a rated game within the past 12 months. [3]
  2. The chart on Kramnik's FIDE profile gives his January 2002 rating as 2811. [4] The top 100 list for January 2002 gives 2809. [5] The discrepancy appears to be due to a delay in including the rating change of +2 from Kramnik's four draws with Garry Kasparov in the Botvinnik Memorial Match in December 2001 in the top 100 lists, where it only appears in October 2002.

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References

  1. "All time Top 100 by Highest ELO Rating". Chess-db.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  2. "Records". 2700chess.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  3. "FIDE Rating Regulations". FIDE . Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  4. "Profile Info – Kramnik, Vladimir". FIDE . Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  5. "Top 100 Players January 2002 - Archive". FIDE . Retrieved August 5, 2021.