World Chess Championship 1937

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The World Chess Championship 1937 was held across thirteen cities in the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. This was a much-anticipated rematch between reigning champion Max Euwe of the Netherlands and former champion Alexander Alekhine of France. Alekhine won the match and regained the world title he had lost two years earlier. The match was distinctive as the last World Championship held before World War II and the last time a former champion reclaimed the title.

FIDE World Chess Championship 1937, Alexander Alekhine, Max Euwe

📷 World Chess Championship 1937. Alekhine (left) and Euwe
Wikimedia Commons: Unknown author (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Winner: Alexander Alekhine

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

Alexander Alekhine was the fourth official World Chess Champion, having taken the title from José Raúl Capablanca in 1927. Known for his deep opening preparation and dynamic attacking style, Alekhine dominated world chess in the late 1920s and early 1930s. After losing to Euwe in 1935, Alekhine committed to an intensive period of training, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco and focusing entirely on his comeback. This strict regimen paid off in 1937, when he convincingly defeated Euwe. The match solidified Alekhine’s legacy and marked the first time in history a former champion reclaimed the title. He stated:

«A championship match is won long before the first game is played, in the months of study and training leading up to it.»

Here’s a concise list of Alexander Alekhine’s World Chess Championship matches:

📌 Then came World War II, and Alexander Alekhine did not play any more World Championship matches before his death in 1946.

Opponent: Max Euwe

Born: May 20, 1901, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died: November 26, 1981, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Machgielis «Max» Euwe was the fifth official World Champion, having won the title from Alekhine in 1935. A respected mathematics professor and chess theoretician, Euwe’s triumph was seen as a victory of logic and discipline over intuition. He remained active in elite tournaments during his reign, including a strong showing at Nottingham 1936. Euwe agreed to a rematch without delay, and the Dutch Chess Federation organized a multi-city event of high national prominence. Despite leading early in the match, Euwe’s performance declined toward the end, possibly due to nerves and mounting pressure. His loss in 1937 marked the end of his brief but impactful tenure as world champion.

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: October 5 – December 4, 1937
📍 Location: Thirteen cities across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Groningen, Utrecht
✅ Format: Best of 30 games (first to 15.5 points; Euwe retains title in case of a 15–15 tie)
⏱️ 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, supported by leading newspapers such as Het Vaderland, De Telegraaf, Algemeen Handelsblad

Historical and Cultural Context

The 1937 rematch marked the end of the era of champion-controlled matches. Alekhine’s return to form showed the growing importance of professionalism and team preparation. The match enjoyed broad media coverage, including radio broadcasts and newsreel segments, and it greatly increased chess’s popularity in the Netherlands. It was also the last World Championship before World War II and remains notable for being the only time a former champion reclaimed the title in match play.

World Chess Championship 1937, Alexander Alekhine (FRA), Max Euwe (NED)

The World Chess Championship 1937 Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

Game 12

Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

Game 17

Game 18

Game 19

Game 20

Game 21

Game 22

Game 23

Game 24

Game 25

FIDE World Chess Championship 1937

Alexander Alekhine, France

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World Chess Championship 1937 Sources

Quote Sources

General Sources

Photo Credits

📷 World Chess Championship 1937. Alekhine (left) and Euwe
Wikimedia Commons: Unknown author (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons
Date: 1937

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.