English Chess Forum

Just noticed that Mickey (now rated 2622) has dropped out of the FIDE top 100. The 100th player currently is Ivanchuk on 2627.

Both Mickey and Vasyl must have been in the top 100 for a great many years and Vasyl is still just hanging on.

I see Boris Gelfand (live rating 2641, number 80 in live list) is still there.

The younger generation are filing all the spots and pushing the oldies out.

With age it's natural of course to some extent, though I'm sure he could have stayed in the top 100 longer if he chose his events more carefully (or simply played less).

Whilst bad for his rating, it is great for English chess that he plays so many of our events.

It's a credit to Mickey that he continues to actively play and therefore risk his rating unlike others who remain higher up in such a list despite little activity.

Vishy Anand is 57 in December, and is number 13-14 in the world in the latest list - above both the current WC and his predecessor.

(I know re the above post that he doesn't play a lot of classical chess these days, but still pretty remarkable)

Adam Ashton wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 24, 2026 12:32 pm

With age it's natural of course to some extent, though I'm sure he could have stayed in the top 100 longer if he chose his events more carefully (or simply played less).

Whilst bad for his rating, it is great for English chess that he plays so many of our events.

I'll second that. Following on from the May 4NCL he's due to play at The Wood Green Invitational and then the British. In the first of those two he will be facing players born in 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2002 & 2001 so it will be great experience for his opponents.

Its good to see he continues to have a lot of respect in the game, and to think he's come closer than any Englishman to becoming world champion.

Nigel Short might have something to say about that claim, maybe.

Doubt it. SInce when was he going to topple Kasparov?

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 24, 2026 5:11 pm

Doubt it. SInce when was he going to topple Kasparov?

Absolutely true, but Matt is still correct that Short would dispute it.

Short still won a game, alas Mickey couldn't quite manage that at San Luis 2005.

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 24, 2026 6:47 pm

Short still won a game, alas Mickey couldn't quite manage that at San Luis 2005.

Not until he was six down. In Tripoli, Mickey was one game ( one move? ) away.

Ah yes, but I'm not counting *that* one as a "proper" world title. Sorry.

Though it would still have been very nice for him to win it.

In his book King's Gambit; Son, a Father, and the World's Most Dangerous Game, Paul Hoffman gives an extensive -and not too complimentary- account of that match.