#2 World Chess Champion
Emanuel Lasker – 2nd World Chess Champion
The longest-reigning World Chess Champion in history, Lasker dominated the game through psychological insight, fighting spirit, and extraordinary adaptability.
- Country: Germany
- Title reign: 1894–1921
- Style: Psychological play, resilience, universal strength
Overview
Emanuel Lasker held the World Chess Championship for an unparalleled 27 years, a record that remains unmatched. More than a chess player, he was a mathematician, philosopher, and thinker who approached competition as a deeply human struggle.
Lasker first became World Champion in 1894 by defeating Wilhelm Steinitz. Over the following decades, he successfully defended his title against a wide range of challengers, adapting his style to each opponent and era.
World Championship highlights
- Defeated Wilhelm Steinitz in 1894 to become World Chess Champion.
- Successfully defended the title against Steinitz, Marshall, Tarrasch, and Schlechter.
- Held the World Championship for 27 years, the longest reign in history.
- Lost the title to José Raúl Capablanca in 1921 after nearly three decades at the top.
Playing style & legacy
Lasker’s style defied simple classification. He was willing to make objectively inferior moves if they posed practical problems for his opponents, relying on psychological pressure and resilience to prevail.
His influence extends far beyond his record-setting reign. Lasker demonstrated that chess is not only about perfect moves, but about understanding people, competition, and survival. Many modern champions cite his adaptability as a timeless lesson.