In the paper some fuzzy classification algorithms based upon a nearest neighbor decision rule areconsidered in terms of the pattern recognition algorithms which are based on the computation of estimates (theso-called AEC model). It is shown that the fuzzy K nearest neighbor algorithm can be assigned to the AECclass. In turn, it is found that some standard AEC algorithms, which depend on a number of numericalparameters, can be used as fuzzy classification algorithms. Yet among them there exist algorithms extremalwith respect to these parameters. Such algorithms provide maximum values of the associated performancemeasures.