Latest Chess Poll
Which Chess Match That Never Took Place Would You Most Like To Have Seen?
Our recent poll poses an interesting question, one of which makes you go back in time and really think about the matchups that never took place. This is one of the most compelling polls that we’ve come up with and one of the most difficult to limit the choices offered.
Please vote for one of the nine choices or pick “other” and comment here. This should hopefully stir up some enjoyable conversation.
I have already received some e-mails that Tal-Karpov and Rubinstein-Lasker should definitely have been on this list.
Please use this posting to offer your comments and suggestions.
Rook House — August 20, 2008 @ 7:27 amI’m very surprised that my vote for Morphy-Staunton is the only one on there so far. I’m somewhat of a history buff, which might make me biased towards some of the older players, but that was definitely the match that needed to happen.
e4e5 — August 20, 2008 @ 8:27 amI usually approach these sort of pools by trying to avoid the obvious (as I see it), but I just had to vote for Fischer-Karpov. If nothing else, this would have meant seeing more games from Bobby.
A close second for me would be to see a Capa-Alekhine re-match, so we would have a better idea of whether Capa was just overconfident and lazy in 1927 or whether Alekhine really was a better player at that time.
SonofPearl — August 20, 2008 @ 2:06 pmThanks for commenting Ryan. I think that Fischer-Karpov will end up winning the poll and I would love to have seen that match (along with ALL of these), but I cast my personal vote for Alekhine-Keres.
After winning the strong 1938 AVRO tournament, Keres was at his peak and was supposed to receive a title shot for his victory. World War II came along and put a halt to the chess world and I really don’t think Alekhine wanted anything to do with him.
Rook House — August 21, 2008 @ 6:18 amYes, I would have liked to see all the matches as well!
It’s easy to see why Keres gets a lot of sympathy from chess fans and losing the chance to challenge for the title at (arguably) his peak, and then just missing out (controversially) to Botvinnik, was really hard on him.
SonofPearl — August 21, 2008 @ 7:17 amI just think it’s a crime that Keres never got his shot and that Alekhine was too afraid to give Capablanca a rematch.
Alekhine held the title for 19 years until his death in 1946 and only defended against Bogoljubow and Euwe, both players he figured he could easily beat. He was so sure of victory over Euwe that he did not prepare at all for him in 1935 and justifiably lost, only to regain the title two years later.
His title reign was the worst period in chess championship history, in my opinion.
Rook House — August 21, 2008 @ 7:41 amFischer-Karpov would of been very fun to watch.
Fool's Mate — January 15, 2010 @ 10:55 am