Cool question! I'm a bit odd, so I have actually given this quite a bit of thought beforehand.

While I realize that a LOT of important things have gone on throughout the years, this question is somewhat personal, and so I'll answer personally.

I would like to witness the world chess champion match between Alexander Alekhine and Jose Capablanca (circa 1927). Alekhine is somewhat a hero of mine, and I would simply love to watch him crush Capa, who had a head the size of Atlas' Globe about his playing style, and gave himself way too much credit.

Capablanca prided himself on being a “natural” player. He didn't study much at all. He just knew how to play, and at a very powerful level. While this is commendable and very impressive, just think of what he could have accomplished if he had studied! Unbeatable?

Alekhine spent almost all his free time studying, working out lines, inventing openings. Alekhine has a significant amount of chess theory credited to him, and he was a very sharp and attacking player.

The lesson here is that preparation won, and won big time. I'm a pro-education type of guy, and this is proof in the pudding that it helps. If you would like to succeed, you must LEARN about the subject matter you wish to succeed in! Period. :)