The Chess Oscar was an annual award presented from 1967 to 2013 to the best chess player of the year, as determined by a poll of international chess experts and journalists. Originating from the Soviet chess magazine *64*, the trophy—a small bronze figurine reminiscent of the Academy Awards Oscar—was one of the most prestigious individual honors in competitive chess during its existence. The award recognized excellence across all formats and was dominated by Soviet and Russian grandmasters, with Garry Kasparov winning a record 11 times.

1 History

1.1 Origins (1967) and early years

The Chess Oscar was first conceived in 1967 by the editorial board of the Soviet chess magazine *64* (Shakhmaty v SSSR). The award was inspired by the Academy Awards in cinema, hence the name "Oscar." The initial trophy was a small bronze statuette of a chess rider, designed by Soviet sculptor Ye. A. Vучich. The first winner, announced in 1968 for the 1967 season, was the then–World Champion Tigran Petrosian. In these early years, the award was primarily known within the Soviet Union, though voting already involved international chess journalists.

1.2 Peak period (1970s–1990s)

During the 1970s the Chess Oscar gained international recognition. With the rise of Bobby Fischer, who won in 1970 and 1971, the award became a global benchmark. In subsequent decades, the award was dominated by Soviet and Russian grandmasters, particularly Anatoly Karpov (nine wins) and Garry Kasparov (eleven wins). The 1970s and 1980s saw intense rivalries, and the Oscar often reflected the outcome of World Championship matches. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the award continued under the management of *64*’s successor publication, *Shakhmaty v Rossii*, and remained highly respected.

1.3 Discontinuation after 2013

The Chess Oscar was awarded for the last time in 2014 for the 2013 season. The winner was Magnus Carlsen, who had also won in 2012. The discontinuation was attributed to declining influence of the magazine, difficulties in organizing the international poll, and the emergence of alternative player-of‑the‑year awards (e.g., by FIDE and the Global Chess Awards). After 2013 no official Oscar was presented, though occasional calls for its revival have been heard.

2 Selection process

2.1 Voting system

The Chess Oscar was determined by a poll of chess experts and journalists. Each voter nominated a first, second, and third choice, with points awarded on a weighted scale (typically 3 points for first, 2 for second, 1 for third). The player accumulating the highest total points won. Voting was held annually, usually covering the period from January to December of the previous year.

2.2 Composition of the jury

The jury consisted of chess columnists, editors, and professional journalists from around the world. The number of voters varied from year to year but generally ranged between 50 and 100. Panelists were invited by the organizers, and the list was published to ensure transparency. Although the majority of voters were from Europe and the former Soviet bloc, the poll aimed for geographic diversity.

2.3 Criteria for eligibility

Any active chess player was eligible for the Chess Oscar, regardless of nationality, gender, or rating. However, the award implicitly prioritized tournament and match performance over rapid or blitz chess, as the voting period typically covered classical events. No explicit age or title restrictions applied.

3 Recipients

3.1 Complete list by year (1967–2013)

  • 1967 – Tigran Petrosian
  • 1968 – Viktor Korchnoi
  • 1969 – Mikhail Tal and Tigran Petrosian (tie)
  • 1970 – Bobby Fischer
  • 1971 – Bobby Fischer
  • 1972 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1973 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1974 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1975 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1976 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1977 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1978 – Mikhail Tal
  • 1979 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1980 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1981 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1982 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1983 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1984 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1985 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1986 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1987 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1988 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1989 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1990 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1991 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1992 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1993 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1994 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1995 – Anatoly Karpov
  • 1996 – Garry Kasparov
  • 1997 – Viswanathan Anand
  • 1998 – Viswanathan Anand
  • 1999 – Garry Kasparov
  • 2000 – Vladimir Kramnik
  • 2001 – Garry Kasparov
  • 2002 – Garry Kasparov
  • 2003 – Vladimir Kramnik
  • 2004 – Viswanathan Anand
  • 2005 – Viswanathan Anand
  • 2006 – Vladimir Kramnik
  • 2007 – Viswanathan Anand
  • 2008 – Viswanathan Anand
  • 2009 – Magnus Carlsen
  • 2010 – Magnus Carlsen
  • 2011 – Magnus Carlsen
  • 2012 – Magnus Carlsen
  • 2013 – Magnus Carlsen

3.2 Most frequent winners

3.2.1 Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov holds the record for the most Chess Oscars with 11 wins (1981–1991, 1993–1994, 1996, 1999, 2001–2002). He won consecutively from 1981 to 1991, a streak that remains unmatched. Kasparov’s dominance during his reign as World Champion from 1985 to 2000 is reflected in these awards.

3.2.1.1 Kasparov’s consecutive wins (1982–1986)

Between 1982 and 1986, Kasparov won five consecutive Oscars (1982–1986 inclusive). This period coincided with his rise as the youngest-ever World Champion (1985) and his successful title defenses. His strong performances at elite tournaments (e.g., Linares, Tilburg) and his victory over Anatoly Karpov in the 1984–85 World Championship match contributed to these awards.

3.2.2 Anatoly Karpov

Anatoly Karpov won the Chess Oscar a total of nine times: 1972–1977, 1979–1980, 1992, and 1995. He and Kasparov together account for 20 of the 47 Oscars awarded. Karpov’s first win came in 1972, the year he became World Champion, and he dominated the award through the late 1970s.

3.2.3 Other multiple winners

Other players with multiple Oscars include Magnus Carlsen (five wins: 2009–2013), Viswanathan Anand (six wins: 1997–1998, 2004–2005, 2007–2008), and Vladimir Kramnik (three wins: 2000, 2003, 2006). Tigran Petrosian, Viktor Korchnoi, and Mikhail Tal each won once (Petrosian tied with Tal in 1969).

3.3 Notable single-year winners

3.3.1 Bobby Fischer (1970, 1971)

Bobby Fischer won the Chess Oscar in 1970 and 1971. In 1970 he achieved record results, including winning the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal, and in 1971 he swept his Candidates matches with unprecedented scores (6–0 against Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen, then 6½–2½ against Tigran Petrosian). These performances made him a runaway winner.

3.3.2 Magnus Carlsen (2012, 2013)

Magnus Carlsen’s consecutive wins in 2012 and 2013 marked the final years of the award. In 2012 he achieved a record FIDE rating of 2861, and in 2013 he became World Champion by defeating Viswanathan Anand. His five-year streak (2009–2013) is the longest in the award’s later period.

4 Impact and legacy

4.1 Influence on chess culture

The Chess Oscar became a symbol of elite achievement and was frequently cited in player biographies and chess media. It helped popularize the concept of a “player of the year” in chess, inspiring later annual awards by other organizations. The award also fostered a sense of continuity and rivalry, as fans followed the yearly voting.

4.2 Criticism and controversies

4.2.1 Alleged bias toward Soviet players

Critics argued that the Chess Oscar was biased in favor of Soviet and later Russian players, who won 40 out of 47 Oscars. The Soviet-dominated voting pool and the award’s origin in a Soviet magazine contributed to this perception. Some Western players, such as Bobby Fischer and later Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen, won anyway, proving that exceptional performance could overcome regional favoritism. Nevertheless, many strong players from non‑Soviet countries (e.g., Viktor Korchnoi after his defection) struggled to win despite top results.

4.3 Comparisons with other chess awards

4.3.1 Chess Oscar vs. FIDE Player of the Year

The FIDE Player of the Year was introduced in 2000 as an official award from the world chess federation. Unlike the Chess Oscar, which relied on subjective journalist polls, the FIDE award often considered objective criteria (e.g., rating, tournament wins). The Oscar was generally seen as more prestigious until its discontinuation, but the FIDE award outlasted it. After 2013 the FIDE Player of the Year and other internet-based awards filled the gap.

5 Cultural references and trivia

5.1 The trophy design

The Chess Oscar trophy was a bronze figurine of a knight on horseback (the chess piece), standing on a small pedestal. The design was deliberately reminiscent of the Academy Awards Oscar statuette, minus the sword. The figurine measured about 20 cm in height and was produced in limited quantities each year.

5.2 References in media and literature

The Chess Oscar is frequently mentioned in chess history books, autobiographies (e.g., by Kasparov and Karpov), and periodicals. It appears in documentaries about Soviet chess, such as *The Man Who Beat the World* (about Bobby Fischer). In popular culture, the award has been referenced in chess‑themed episodes of television shows and in online chess discussions as a symbol of an era when Soviet grandmasters dominated the game.