Friday Feature: Alexander Alekhine

Alexander Alekhine was a Russian-born chess grandmaster and former world chess champion. He was born in 1892 in Moscow, and he began playing chess at the age of five. Alekhine quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a national master at the age of 16 and a grandmaster at the age of 20. In 1927, he defeated the reigning world chess champion, José Raúl Capablanca, in a match to become the fourth world chess champion.

Alekhine held the world championship title for the next seven years, until he was defeated by Max Euwe in 1935. He regained the title in 1937, and he held it until his death in 1946. Throughout his career, Alekhine was known for his aggressive and attacking playing style. He was particularly skilled at launching complex and surprising attacks against his opponents' positions.

One of Alekhine's most famous quotes is, "Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe."

Alekhine's influence on the world of chess is still felt today. He is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time, and his games and writings continue to be studied and admired by players and fans of the game. In addition to his achievements in chess, Alekhine was also a noted writer and journalist. He wrote extensively about chess, and he is credited with helping to popularize the game and bring it to a wider audience. Today, Alekhine's legacy continues to inspire and influence chess players around the world. His aggressive and attacking style remains a model for many players, and his contributions to the game are still celebrated and remembered; he even has an opening named after him!

Alexander Alekhine