Wilhelm Steinitz
1st World Champion, 1886 - 1894

Emanuel Lasker
2st World Champion, 1894 - 1921

Jose Raul Capablanca
3st World Champion, 1921 - 1927

Alexander Alekhine
4st World Champion, 1927 - 1935
and from 1937 - 1946

Machgielis (Max) Euwe
5st World Champion, 1935 - 1937

Mikhail Botvinnik
6st World Champion, 1948 - 1957
and 1958-1960 and 1961-1963

Vasily Smyslov
7st World Champion, 1957 - 1958

Mikhail Tal
8st World Champion, 1960 - 1961

Tigran Petrosian
9st World Champion, 1963 - 1969

Boris Spassky
10st World Champion, 1969 - 1972

Robert (Bobby) Fischer
11st World Champion, 1972 - 1975

Anatoly Karpov
12st World Champion, 1975 - 198
and fide schamp 1993

Garry Kasparov
13st World Champion, 1985 - 199
and pca champ 1993