Bobby Fischer

An iconic and tragic genius, Bobby Fischer's peak is arguably the highest ever seen. His 1972 World Championship victory over Boris Spassky was a cultural landmark. Known for obsessive study and an original, clear style, he decimated the 1963-64 U.S. Championship with an 11-0 score and crushed Tigran Petrosian and Mark Taimanov in Candidates matches.

His 20-game winning streak against elite competition remains a staggering feat. While his career was brief and his later life troubled, his impact on popularizing chess in the West and his sheer playing strength cement his legendary status.