World Chess Championship 1935

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The World Chess Championship 1935 took place across thirteen cities in the Netherlands. The reigning champion, Alexander Alekhine (France), faced challenger Max Euwe (Netherlands). In a historic upset, Euwe won the match and became the ★5th Official World Chess Champion★. This was the first time a Dutch player claimed the title and marked the beginning of modern, team-based match preparation.

World Chess Championship 1935, Alexander Alekhine, Max Euwe

Euwe–Alekhine match, 1935
Unknown Photographer: Képes Pesti Hírlap (License: Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Winner/Challenger: Max Euwe

Born: 1901, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died: 1981, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Max Euwe, a mathematics teacher and leading amateur-turned-professional, won the 1935 title with disciplined preparation and steady match play. Known for logical planning and clear endgame technique, he organized a small team of Dutch analysts and made systematic use of adjournment study. After falling behind mid-match, Euwe steadied the course, scored in the French/Slav battles, and finished stronger down the stretch. His practical decision-making under time control and willingness to choose sound, analyzable structures were decisive.

“Alekhine’s real genius is in the preparation and construction of a position, long before combinations or mating attacks come into consideration at all.” — Max Euwe

The victory sparked a national chess boom and foreshadowed Euwe’s later administrative role as FIDE President.

Reigning Champion: Alexander Alekhine

Born: 1892, Moscow, Russian Empire
Died: 1946, Estoril, Portugal

Alexander Alekhine, champion since 1927, arrived with a deep opening repertoire and a reputation for complex middlegames. He led the match at several points and produced characteristic tactical wins, but his results fluctuated and endgame accuracy slipped at critical moments. Contemporary reports also noted uneven form between sessions. Against Euwe’s targeted preparation and adjournment work, Alekhine’s reliance on intuition yielded fewer practical chances than in earlier title matches.

“I have never in my life played the French Defence, which is the dullest of all openings.” — Alexander Alekhine

He lost the crown here, but would reclaim it in the 1937 rematch.

Match Overview

Match Dates: October 3 – December 15, 1935
Location: Thirteen cities across the Netherlands (including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam)
Format: Best of 30 games
Time Control: 40 moves in 2.5 hours, followed by 16 moves per hour
Prize Fund: 10,000 Dutch guilders (5,000 to the winner)
Main Sponsors: Dutch Chess Federation, Dutch press

Historical and Cultural Context

The Euwe–Alekhine match became a national event in the Netherlands, with radio updates, daily press reports, and packed venues across thirteen cities. Both camps employed full-time seconds and structured adjournment analysis, marking a shift toward modern, team-based preparation. Opening trends were clear: repeated French Winawers and Slav/Grünfeld systems framed much of the strategic debate. Organization and public interest set new benchmarks for a world championship held outside the traditional centers.