Alekhine's Attacking Brilliance
Alexander Alekhine unleashed a devastating kingside attack against Richard Reti, showcasing the most aggressive champion's fearsome tactical skill.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Richard Reti vs Alexander Alekhine (1925)
Event: Baden-Baden Tournament | Result: 0-1
Professor Archer says: Alekhine was the most dangerous attacking player of his era, and this game against Reti shows why. He turned a quiet, almost sterile position into a raging inferno. That ability to create complications from nothing is a rare gift, and Alekhine possessed it more than almost any player in history.
The Most Aggressive Champion
Alexander Alekhine, the fourth World Chess Champion, was renowned for his ferocious attacking style and deep combinative vision. His games are filled with sacrifices, complex tactics, and a relentless fighting spirit that intimidated opponents before they even sat down at the board.
His 1925 encounter with Richard Reti at the Baden-Baden tournament is one of his most celebrated games. Reti, himself a great innovator and the pioneer of hypermodern chess, found himself outplayed in a sharp tactical battle that showcased Alekhine's extraordinary calculating ability.
From Quiet to Complex
The game began with Reti's characteristic hypermodern opening, fianchettoing the kingside bishop and controlling the center from a distance. Alekhine responded energetically, grabbing central space and developing his pieces with purpose.
What is remarkable about this game is how Alekhine transformed a quiet opening into a dynamic middlegame. Through a series of precise moves, he created imbalances that favored his combinative style, gradually steering the game toward the kind of sharp position where his tactical genius could shine.
Alekhine's pieces are actively placed, ready to create complications.
The Tactical Storm
The middlegame saw Alekhine launch a series of tactical operations that kept Reti constantly off balance. Each move posed new problems, and the cumulative effect was overwhelming. Alekhine's pieces danced across the board with a coordination that seemed almost choreographed.
The combination that decided the game involved a brilliant sacrifice that stripped away the defenses around Reti's king. Alekhine calculated the resulting complications with precision, finding forcing moves that led to a winning position despite the material investment.
Reti, one of the most creative players of his generation, was simply outplayed in the tactical arena. Alekhine's vision was deeper, his calculation more precise, and his attacking instinct more acute.
Alekhine's Combinative Style
What set Alekhine apart from other attacking players was the depth of his combinations. While many players can find a two or three move tactic, Alekhine regularly calculated sequences of eight, ten, or more moves with perfect accuracy. This depth of vision allowed him to play sacrifices that looked unsound on the surface but were justified by variations that stretched far into the future.
This game against Reti is a perfect example. The critical sacrifice was not immediately obvious, and the refutation of Black's initiative was hidden many moves deep. Only someone with Alekhine's calculating prowess could find and trust such a continuation in a tournament game.
Legacy of a Champion
Alekhine held the world championship from 1927 to 1935 and again from 1937 until his death in 1946 — the only champion to die while holding the title. His games continue to be studied for their combinative brilliance and fighting spirit.
The 1925 Baden-Baden tournament is considered one of the strongest of the pre-war era, and Alekhine's victory over Reti was the crown jewel of his tournament performance. It demonstrates that even against the most creative opposition, attacking chess played with depth and precision will prevail.
For students looking to improve their tactical vision, Alekhine's games are invaluable. They teach you to look deeper, calculate further, and trust your analysis even when the position looks unclear. That combination of bravery and precision is the hallmark of a true chess artist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Alekhine's Attacking Brilliance considered a masterpiece?
This game is considered a masterpiece because Alekhine transformed a quiet hypermodern opening into a raging tactical storm, outplaying the great Richard Reti in a sharp tactical battle. His deep combinative vision and ability to create complications from nothing showcase the most aggressive champion's fearsome skill.
What opening was played in Reti vs Alekhine?
Reti opened with his characteristic hypermodern style (1. g3), fianchettoing the kingside bishop and controlling the center from a distance. Alekhine responded energetically, grabbing central space and steering the game toward dynamic complications.
Who won Alekhine's Attacking Brilliance?
Alexander Alekhine won as Black against Richard Reti at the 1925 Baden-Baden Tournament. Alekhine later held the world championship from 1927 to 1935 and again from 1937 until his death in 1946.
What key tactic or theme decided Alekhine's Attacking Brilliance?
The game was decided by Alekhine's brilliant sacrifice that stripped away defenses around Reti's king. His deep calculation, regularly stretching eight to ten moves ahead, allowed him to trust combinations that looked unsound on the surface but were justified deep in the variations.
Professor Archer says: Study Alekhine's games when you want to understand the art of creating chances. He did not wait for his opponents to make mistakes — he created situations where mistakes were inevitable. That proactive approach to chess is something every ambitious player should aspire to develop.
Quick Quiz
What is unique about Alekhine's status among World Chess Champions?
- He was the youngest champion ever - The youngest champions were Gukesh (18) and Kasparov (22). Alekhine's unique distinction is different.
- He is the only champion to die while holding the title (Correct) - Correct. Alekhine died in 1946 while still the reigning World Champion. He is the only champion in history to hold the title at the time of death.
- He never lost a single game as champion - Alekhine did lose games during his reign. His unique distinction is that he died while still holding the championship title.
- He won the title three times - While Alekhine held the title in two separate periods (1927-1935 and 1937-1946), his unique distinction is being the only champion to die while holding the title.