Alexander Alekhine in photographs
A selection of photographs, known and less so, chronicles the chess journey of Alexander Alekhine, the fourth World Chess Champion
Alexander Alekhine and his cat Chess
The fourth World Chess Champion, Alexander Alekhine, was almost inseparable from his Siamese cat named Chess. They traveled together, and Alekhine frequently brought Chess to tournaments. In this photo, the pair poses together during the World Championship Match of 1935 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Unveiling Alekhine's tomb at Montparnasse cemetery, 1956
On March 24, 1946, the chess world mourned the loss of its fourth World Champion, Alexander Alekhine. In honor of his legacy, FIDE sponsored his burial, and in 1956, his remains were transferred to the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris, France, commemorating the tenth anniversary of his passing. On the morning of March 25, 1956, several hundred people gathered outside the iconic Montparnasse cemetery in Paris. Among the notable figures present were FIDE President Folke Rogard, French chess players, and a delegation from the USSR led by Ragozin, which included Smyslov, Keres, Bronstein, Geller, and Petrosian. Alekhine’s son delivered a heartfelt speech. At 11 a.m., the crowd witnessed the unveiling of a magnificent monument by Abraham Baratz: a white marble statue of Alekhine in his youthful glory, seated at a chessboard—a fitting tribute to a chess legend.
Stahlberg vs Alekhine 1931
Alexander Alekhine (France) playing with Black against Gideon Ståhlberg (Sweden) at the 4th Chess Olympiad in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on July 12, 1931. The position you see at the board is after White’s 9th move Bd3, Alekhine is contemplating his reply. He won that game in 33 moves with an energetic attack on the kingside.
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Alekhine and Bogoljubow at the start of their 1929 World Championship Match
This photograph captures world champion Alexander Alekhine alongside his challenger for the 1929 World Championship Match, Efim Bogoljubow, at the match’s outset in Wiesbaden, Germany. The photo was taken at the studio of Karl Konrad Kurzrock. The caption on the back of the photograph reads: “Weltmeisterschaft. Aljechin, von Schlichting, Römmig, Bogoljubow” (translated to English: “World championship. Alekhine, von Schlichting, Römmig, Bogoljubow”). Hermann Römmig was the Treasurer of the German Chess Union at the time. The match concluded with Alekhine emerging victorious by 15½-9½.
The start of the first game Alekhine-Euwe of the 1935 World Championship Match
The start of the first game of the World Championship Match between defending champion Alexander Alekhine (left) and challenger Max Euwe (right). The match took place from October to December 1935 and spanned across 13 different Dutch cities. Most games were played in Amsterdam. The first game of the match was won by Alekhine in 30 moves. Despite the horrible start (down three points by Game 10), Euwe displayed remarkable resilience, rallied back with determination, ultimately clinching the match and the coveted title.
Aelxander Alekhine during 1937 World Championship Match
Alexander Alekhine in 1937 at the World Championship Match with Max Euwe. During this match he turned 45. Alekhine won 15½-9½ reclaiming the world championship title he had lost in their initial encounter back in 1935. This turned out to be Alekhine’s final match, as World War II disrupted the chess world, and in 1946 Alekhine was found dead in his hotel room.
Alexander Alekhine crowned World Champion upon winning 1937 World Championship Match
Alexander Alekhine with a Laurel wreath upon winning the 1937 World Championship match against Max Euwe (on the left) and regaining the chess crown.
Alexander Alekhine, Emanuel Lasker, and Efim Bogoljubov, Berlin 1929
Alexander Alekhine, Emanuel Lasker and Efim Bogolyubov during the 1929 World Chess Championship match. The match spanned several cities: Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, and Berlin in Germany, as well as The Hague, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. This particular photo was taken at Cafe Koenig in Berlin. Alekhine emerged victorious, defeating challenger Bogoljubow with a score of 15½-9½, thus retaining his title.
