First half of the 20th century

Emanuel Lasker was the second world champion and held the title for 27 years, the longest continuous official reign.

Siegbert Tarrasch was a player, physician, and writer who turned classical chess principles into an accessible system.

Géza Maróczy was an elite Hungarian player known for strategic control, precision, and influential coaching.

Frank Marshall was a United States champion, world title challenger, and celebrated attacker known for sacrifices and unexpected resources.

Akiba Rubinstein was one of the strongest players never to win the world title and a lasting endgame model.

The Cuban World Champion from 1921 to 1927, renowned for clarity, technical precision, and mastery of positions with few pieces.

A World Champion known for combining strategic preparation with complex attacks, sacrifices, and deeply calculated sequences.

Aron Nimzowitsch was an elite player and writer who reshaped modern strategy through hypermodern ideas.

Richard Réti was a player, writer, and composer who helped establish the hypermodern approach to chess.

Savielly Tartakower was a Polish-French master, theorist, and writer who connected classical and hypermodern chess.

Vera Menchik was the first women's world champion and a pioneer who regularly competed against leading players of every gender.

Max Euwe was the fifth world chess champion, as well as a mathematician, author, teacher, and president of the International Chess Federation.

Mian Sultan Khan was a Punjabi player who reached the European elite during a remarkably brief international career.

Paul Keres was an Estonian and Soviet chess player, major tournament winner, and one of the strongest players never to become world champion.