#4 World Chess Champion
Alexander Alekhine – 4th World Chess Champion
One of the most ferocious attackers in chess history, Alekhine combined deep calculation with relentless ambition, ruling the chess world across two reigns.
- Country: Russia / France
- Title reign: 1927–1935, 1937–1946
- Style: Dynamic attack, deep calculation, complex middlegames
Overview
Alexander Alekhine was one of the most imaginative and uncompromising champions in chess history. He became World Champion in 1927 by defeating José Raúl Capablanca, ending one of the most dominant reigns the game had ever seen.
Alekhine’s career was marked by extraordinary attacking games and a willingness to enter the most complex positions. His name is immortalized in opening theory, most notably through the Alekhine Defense.
World Championship highlights
- Defeated José Raúl Capablanca in 1927 to become World Chess Champion.
- Successfully defended the title multiple times during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Lost the crown to Max Euwe in 1935 but regained it in the 1937 rematch.
- Remains the only World Champion to die while still holding the title, in 1946.
Playing style & legacy
Alekhine’s style was built on initiative and calculation. He excelled in sharp, unbalanced positions and was famous for launching attacks that seemed to defy classical principles, yet proved sound through deep analysis.
His games remain essential study material for attacking players. Alekhine’s influence on modern dynamic chess is profound, bridging the classical era with the aggressive, calculation-heavy style seen at the top level today.