chess

Russia has produced more World Chess Champions than any country — 16 of 17 champions from 1927 to 2007 were Soviet or Russian. India is now the world's fastest-growing chess nation with 80+ active grandmasters. Magnus Carlsen of Norway held the world title for 10 years. Here are the countries dominating chess.

Russia has produced more chess grandmasters than any other country — over 256 active and historical. The Soviet Union's chess dominance was a Cold War cultural weapon, and its legacy persists decades after its dissolution. Meanwhile, India is rapidly emerging as the new chess superpower, producing prodigies at an extraordinary rate.