Who is your favourite chess player?

I am asking you guys who is your favourite chess player (it can be anyone)

Leela Chess Zero. Us French Defence players can improve our Chess intelligence by watching her French games. Leela is not just a destroyer of the French; she is a destroyer with the French. Leela is beautiful and—with her thorn Pawns—poisonous.

My favorite deceased player is Mikhail Tal. My favorite living player is Garry Kasparov. My opinions about these two might change in a few years. I admit there is a lot of stuff about these two players which I don't know.

I might be just too impressionable when it comes to Kasparov. He was still World Champion when I was only 17 years old (almost 32 years ago). In some ways he was my hero. I'm sure a lot of people will criticize me for saying that.

My late grandpa once said, "If you wish to be a ditch digger, be the best one you can be." Once upon a time, I had hoped to become a grandmaster. For whatever reason, this wasn't in the cards. Perhaps I can "settle" for being the best I can be. I love the game too much to quit. I might always be a Class player...might not even make Class B. Well, whatever happens happens...

It's very hard to choose one. I agree with DoomedBishop about Mikhail Tal and I think his book The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal is a must read for every chess player. The book is so entertaining! Of the Soviet era players, Petrosian's best games have always attracted me, and the 5th game against Botvinnik is an absolute gem. Smyslov, too, his fine, seemingly simple play and the excellent endgame technique.

Paul Keres, the Great Estonian, who is the author of many of my first chess books, an excellent author, a player who handled all phases of the game well. A gentleman, which is not very common trait in chess players. I'm from Helsinki, so I visit Estonia few times a year. He's buried in Metsakalmistu, which is worth a visit.

Of current players, I like the German Vincent Keymer and Anish Giri.

My fav is one of the GOATs - his username is @IamNOTamod.

Gukesh

GM @penguingim1 because he is the best Bullet player.

@szymszym2015 said in #1:

I am asking you guys who is your favourite chess player (it can be anyone)
Me. :)

Capablanca for his excellent endgame technique.
Morphy for his impeccable feeling for activity.
Judit Polgar for her attacking spirit and all she does for chess.
Alekhine for his razor sharp calculation, and the defense which bears his name.
Nimzowitsch for his unconventional yet clear-minded rethinking of chess.

Tal and also Nezhmetdinov