World Chess Championship 1929

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The World Chess Championship 1929 was contested in Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, and Berlin, Germany, between reigning champion Alexander Alekhine (France) and challenger Efim Bogoljubov (Germany). Alekhine successfully defended his title in a match.

World Chess Championship 1929, Alexander Alekhine, Efim Bogoljubov
📷 Library of Congress George Grantham Bain Collection Public domain License Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Winner/Reigning Champion: Alexander Alekhine

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

By 1929, Alexander Alekhine had fully emerged as the undisputed leader of the chess world, following his famous triumph over José Raúl Capablanca in 1927. Known for his aggressive style, deep opening preparation, and psychological edge, Alekhine approached chess as both a science and an art. His preparation against Bogoljubov was methodical and relentless, highlighting a desire to consolidate his legacy and control the World Championship landscape. Off the board, Alekhine was a complex and polarizing figure: intellectually brilliant, multilingual, and increasingly involved in the politics of chess governance. The 1929 match was his first title defense and served as a platform to assert his dominance amid calls for a Capablanca rematch. His legacy as a creator of chaos on the board began to crystalize here.

«I consider chess a struggle in the full sense of the word.» – Alexander Alekhine

Challenger: Efim Bogoljubov

Born: 1889, Stanislavschtschina, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)
Died: 1952, Triberg, West Germany

Efim Bogoljubov had earned his challenge by winning strong tournaments in Bad Kissingen (1928) and Berlin. A charismatic and resourceful tactician, Bogoljubov’s play was marked by optimism and boldness, though sometimes at the expense of positional solidity. By 1929, he had become a national figure in Germany and was seen as a worthy, if not equal, challenger to Alekhine. Despite his resilience and creative ideas, he was outclassed in consistency and endgame technique. Bogoljubov would receive a second opportunity in 1934, again falling short. Still, his role in two World Championship matches secures him a place in chess history as an enduring figure of the interwar era.

«The board is never quiet when Alekhine plays.» – Efim Bogoljubov

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: September 6 – November 12, 1929
📍 Location: Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, Berlin (Germany)
✅ Format: First to 6 wins, with 15½ points required to win the title
⏱️ Time Control: 40 moves in 2½ hours, followed by 16 moves per hour
💰 Prize Fund: Not precisely recorded; mix of private and local sponsorships
📄 Main Sponsors: German Chess Federation, local chess clubs, and private patrons

Historical and Cultural Significance

The match was staged in Weimar Germany, a republic on the brink of collapse. Political instability and looming economic crisis provided a stark backdrop, but the championship was presented as a national event, particularly due to Bogoljubov’s German citizenship. The matches attracted considerable attention in the German and Soviet press, with Deutsche Schachzeitung providing comprehensive coverage and Soviet publications closely following Alekhine’s performance. The organization set a new standard for logistical coordination and international prestige, reaffirming Germany’s ambition to remain central in the global chess scene. While Alekhine’s victory was expected, the match illustrated the growing divide between romantic and scientific styles—and confirmed the supremacy of preparation.

World Chess Championship 1929, Alexander Alekhine (FRA), Efim Bogoljubov (GER)

World Chess Championship 1929 Games

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World Chess Championship 1929

Alexander Alekhine, France

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World Chess Championship 1929 Sources

Quote Sources

General Sources

Photo Credits

📷 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.