I got this question from Bruce Pandolfini's column at ChessCafe.
http://www.chesscafe.com/bruce/bruce.htm
For me, after reading The Immortal Game, I would like to spend an hour with Ben Franklin. I am from Philadelphia and I think he would be an interesting person to play chess with.
edit:
and I might also bring a sample and directions for making penicillin, an AK-47 and a colt 1911 model .45 cal handgun.
Originally posted by Ice ColdI agree, Tal would be my choice hands down! I have never seen one of his games that didn't blow my mind. I feel i'm fairly reasonable at chess, no master, but i can give most people a reasonable game. Tal on the other hand, he was so special!! I could analyse one of his games for a week and not come close to understanding it. His style is an inspiration, but there is no better way to ruin your chess than studying his games. I got half way through his Bio and had to put it down as i found myself sacrificing Sacrificing SACRIFICING!! 'It's ok, i can sac this bishop, follow it up with a pawn sac that ruins my Queenside pawn structure, trade a rook for a knight and i'll have a great position'....NOT! :'(
Tal, without a doubt. Tal won the worlds 5 min championship, I believe in the 1980's. Long after his peak at regular chess. This is a tribute to his dynamic play.