Alexander Alekhine

Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine (October 31 or November 1, 1892 – March 24, 1946) was a chess master and a former World Chess Champion. He was known for his fierce and imaginative attacking style.

In September – November 1927 at Buenos Aires, Alekhine won the title of World chess champion from José Raúl Capablanca, to the surprise of almost the entire chess world. Alekhine defeated Capablanca with 6 wins, 25 draws, and 3 losses.

Although Capablanca was clearly the leading challenger, Alekhine carefully avoided granting a re-match, although a right to a re-match was part of the agreement. He avoided Capablanca by insisting that the winner get $10,000 in gold, just as he got in Buenos Aires. But after the stock market crash, there were no backers. Instead, Alekhine played matches with Efim Bogoljubow, an official "Champion of FIDE", in 1929 and 1934, winning handily both times. The first match with Efim Bogoljubow held at Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, Berlin, The Hague, and Amsterdam in September through November, 1929. Alekhine won with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 5 losses.

In April – June 1934 Alekhine defeated Efim Bogoljubow again for the world championship in twelve German cities (+8 –3 =15). He then accepted a challenge from Max Euwe. On October 3, 1935 the world championship match between Dr Alekhine and Dr Euwe began in Zandvoort, The Netherlands. On December 15, 1935 Max Euwe fortunately had won with 9 wins, 13 draws, and 8 losses. This was the first world championship match to officially have seconds. Alekhine had the services of Salo Landau, and Euwe had Geza Maroczy. The loss is largely attributed to Alekhine's alcoholism as also corroborated by some players.

Alekhine gave up alcohol and regained the title from Max Euwe in December 1937 by a large margin (+10 –4 =11). In this return match, held in the Netherlands, Euwe was seconded by Reuben Fine, and Alekhine by Erich Eliskases. Alekhine played no more title matches, so he held the title until his death.