World Chess Championship 1934

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The World Chess Championship 1934 was a rematch between Alexander Alekhine (France) and Efim Bogoljubov (Germany), held across multiple German cities. Alekhine retained the title by a clear margin.

World Chess Championship 1934, Dr. Max Euwe vs Efim Bogoljubov, Amsterdam (1928)
Note This game is not from the World Chess Championship match between Alekhine and Bogoljubov
Dr Max Euwe vs Efim Bogoljubov Amsterdam 1928
Spaarnestad Photo Unknown Author Public domain License Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
World Chess Championship 1934, Alexander Alekhine, Efim Bogoljubov
Alexander Alekhine
Library of Congress George Grantham Bain Collection Public domain License Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Winner/Reigning Champion: Alexander Alekhine

Born: October 31, 1892, Moscow, Russian Empire​
Died: March 24, 1946, Estoril, Portugal​

Alexander Alekhine, World Champion since defeating Capablanca in 1927, entered 1934 in peak competitive form. Known for aggressive play and extensive preparation, he had already beaten Bogoljubov in their 1929 title match. In the rematch he varied his openings confidently and steered games toward structures he understood deeply, converting small advantages with steady technique. The multi-city schedule demanded consistency; Alekhine maintained form across venues and rest days. The result reinforced his practical edge in preparation and endgame play over a long match.

Alekhine’s off-board life was increasingly complex, but the 1934 result demonstrated full competitive strength and control over the match.

«One must prepare not only the mind but the spirit. In chess, as in war, strategy decides the outcome.» – Alexander Alekhine

Challenger: Efim Bogoljubov

Born: April 14, 1889, Stanislavchyk, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)​
Died: June 18, 1952, Triberg im Schwarzwald, West Germany​

Efim Bogoljubov, representing Germany, was known for energetic, tactical play and ambitious opening choices. Support from German organizers and sustained results on the national circuit kept him in the title picture and secured the rematch. Over the board he created imbalances willingly and scored several wins, but Alekhine’s preparation and control in technical positions told over the distance. The match confirmed both Bogoljubov’s resilience and the difficulty of breaking down a well-prepared champion. He remained a prominent figure in German chess in the years that followed.

«Against Alekhine, even the best preparation feels insufficient. His depth in calculation and understanding is unmatched.» – Efim Bogoljubov

Match Overview

Match Dates: April 1 – June 14, 1934
Location: Multiple venues in Germany (e.g., Berlin, Aachen, Leipzig)
Format: First to six wins; a maximum of 30 games was scheduled
Time Control: 40 moves in 2.5 hours, then 16 moves per hour
Prize Fund: Estimated winner’s share around 10,000 Reichsmarks (equivalent to ~$85,000 today), structured as a majority-wins reward
Main Organizers: German Chess Federation, regional clubs, and state-supported cultural organizers

Historical and Cultural Context

The match took place in Germany in 1934, with growing state oversight of major public events. Chess clubs and local authorities supported a traveling format, and coverage was extensive in the German press and reported abroad. Capablanca’s absence remained a talking point, but the rematch drew strong attendance. The result underscored the practical importance of opening preparation and endgame technique in world championship play.

World Chess Championship 1934 Rematch, Alexander Alekhine (FRA), Efim Bogoljubov (GER)

World Chess Championship 1934 Games

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Game 15

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Game 21

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Game 25

Game 26

World Chess Championship 1934

Alexander Alekhine, France

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World Chess Championship 1934 Sources

Quote Sources

General Sources

Photo Credits

Dr. Max Euwe vs Efim Bogoljubov, Amsterdam (1928)
Spaarnestad Photo / Unknown Author: Public domain (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Alexander Alekhine (portrait, possibly 1924)
Library of Congress (George Grantham Bain Collection): Public domain (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.