François Philidor
Music composer, chess player known for the Philidor defense
Alexander Alekhine
Chess player known for the Alekhine's defense, World Champion from 1927-1935, and again from 1937-1946
1892-1946 (54)
chess.com
Bobby Fischer
Chess Grandmaster World Champion from 1972–1975
1943-2008 (65)
britannica.com
Emanuel Lasker
Chess Grandmaster, World Champion defeated by José Capablanca in 1906, World Chess Hall of Fame (2001)
1868-1941 (73)
worldchesshof.org
Garry Kasparov living
Chess Grandmaster aka Gary Kasparov, chess player ranked #1 in the world from 1984-2005 until his retirement, World Chess Champion, political activist, author of Winter is Coming
1963- (61)
kasparov.com
José Capablanca
Chess Grandmaster aka The Human Chess Machine, World Chess Hall of Fame (2001)
1888-1942 (54)
worldchesshof.org
Judit Polgár
Chess grandmaster at 15 years old (the youngest ever), IQ of 170, considered one of the best female chess players ever
Paul Morphy
Chess player known as the Pride and Sorrow of Chess, best of his era, unofficial World Champion
1837-1884 (47)
worldchesshof.org