Alexander Alekhine
The most ferocious attacking champion whose deep combinations and relentless aggression defined an era of chess brilliance.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Alexander Alekhine - World Champion 1927-1935, 1937-1946
Nationality: Russian/French | Playing Style: aggressive
Professor Archer says: Alekhine combined the attacking fire of the Romantic era with the positional understanding of the modern age. He could play quietly when the position demanded it, but when the opportunity arose for a combination, he calculated deeper and more accurately than anyone else alive. That versatility made him truly dangerous.
The Fiercest Champion
Alexander Alekhine is the only world champion to die while holding the title, and his reign was as dramatic as his life. Born in Moscow in 1892, he dethroned the seemingly invincible Capablanca in 1927 with a display of deep preparation and aggressive play that shocked the chess world.
Alekhine held the title from 1927 to 1935, lost it briefly to Max Euwe, then won it back in 1937 and held it until his death in 1946. His two separate reigns demonstrate remarkable resilience and competitive drive.
Deep Calculation and Aggression
Alekhine's hallmark was his ability to calculate long and complex tactical sequences with perfect accuracy. Where other players saw confusion, Alekhine saw a clear path to victory. His combinations often stretched eight, ten, or even more moves into the future, requiring a depth of vision that few have ever matched.
But Alekhine was more than just a calculator. He understood positional chess deeply and could build advantages slowly when the position called for patience. It was the combination of strategic understanding and tactical genius that made him so formidable.
The Alekhine Attack
Alekhine's attacking games are characterized by a systematic buildup of pressure followed by a sudden explosive combination. He would maneuver his pieces into optimal positions, restrict his opponent's counterplay, and then strike with devastating force.
The transition from quiet maneuvering to sharp tactics was often so sudden that opponents were caught completely off guard. One moment the position looked manageable, and the next they were facing an unstoppable mating attack.
Alekhine was comfortable in any opening but excelled when the position turned sharp.
A Controversial Legacy
Alekhine's personal life was as turbulent as his chess career. He lived through two world wars, changed nationalities, and made controversial decisions during the Second World War that tarnished his reputation. After the war, he was isolated from the chess community and died alone in Portugal in 1946.
Despite these personal complexities, Alekhine's chess legacy is secure. His games remain essential study material, and his contributions to opening theory — particularly the defense that bears his name — are still relevant today.
Learning from Alekhine
For chess students, Alekhine's games teach the art of combining strategy and tactics. His best games demonstrate how a well-prepared strategic plan naturally leads to tactical opportunities. The strategy creates the conditions for the combination, and the combination is the payoff for the strategy.
Alekhine also teaches the importance of deep calculation. In a world increasingly reliant on pattern recognition and intuition, his games remind us that there is no substitute for sitting down and working out the variations. The player who calculates deepest will often find resources that others miss.
Finally, Alekhine demonstrates competitive resilience. Losing his title to Euwe and then winning it back required extraordinary determination and self-improvement. His comeback remains one of the most inspiring stories in chess history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Alexander Alekhine's playing style?
Alekhine was an aggressive player who combined ferocious attacking chess with deep positional understanding. He could calculate long and complex tactical sequences with perfect accuracy, often seeing eight to ten moves ahead, while also building advantages patiently when the position demanded it.
When was Alexander Alekhine World Chess Champion?
Alekhine was World Chess Champion during two separate periods: 1927-1935 and 1937-1946. He won the title by defeating Capablanca, lost it to Euwe, then won it back and held it until his death in 1946, making him the only champion to die while holding the title.
What were Alexander Alekhine's most famous games?
Alekhine is celebrated for his brilliant attacking combinations that often stretched many moves deep. His victory over Capablanca in 1927 shocked the chess world, and his comeback match against Euwe in 1937 remains one of the most inspiring stories in chess. The Alekhine Defense opening also bears his name.
Professor Archer says: Study Alekhine when you want to learn how to combine strategy and tactics. His best games show a gradual buildup of positional pressure that eventually explodes into a tactical fireworks display. The strategy creates the tactics — that is the lesson.
Quick Quiz
What is unique about Alekhine's world championship history?
- He never lost a single championship game - Alekhine did lose championship games. His unique distinction is dying while still holding the title.
- He is the only champion to die while holding the title (Correct) - Correct. Alekhine died in 1946 while still the reigning World Champion. No other champion has held the title at the time of their death.
- He held the title for the longest continuous period - Lasker holds that record with 27 years. Alekhine's unique distinction is being the only champion to die while still holding the title.
- He was the youngest champion ever - That record belongs to Gukesh (18). Alekhine's unique distinction is dying while still the reigning champion.