September 16 – November 29 | ⭐Alexander Alekhine (France)
Challenger: Alexander Alekhine
Alexander Alekhine AI generated
Born in Moscow on October 31, 1892, Alexander Alekhine, the 4th Official World Chess Champion, was an aggressive and deeply prepared player who had honed his skills in sharp tactical battles. Representing France after emigrating in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, Alekhine brought meticulous opening preparation and psychological resilience to the World Chess Championship 1927. Determined to dethrone Capablanca, he focused extensively on studying his opponent’s weaknesses, particularly in complex and sharp positions.
Reigning Champion: José Raúl Capablanca
José Raúl Capablanca, the 3rd Official World Chess Champion, had held the title since 1921 after defeating Emanuel Lasker. Known for his exceptional endgame technique and seemingly effortless positional play, Capablanca was considered nearly invincible. Entering the match, he had never lost a game to Alekhine in their previous encounters. Confident in his superiority, Capablanca adhered to his usual pragmatic approach, aiming to outmaneuver his opponent with precise calculation and strategic simplifications.
Match Overview
Alekhine credited his victory to psychological superiority, stating,
«For my victory over Capablanca I am indebted primarily to my superiority in the field of psychology.»
The Queen’s Gambit Declined dominated the match, appearing in nearly every game.
Held in Buenos Aires under the London Rules, the match required six wins for the title. Alekhine’s preparation, endurance, and adaptability proved decisive against Capablanca, who was unaccustomed to prolonged battles.
Historically significant, Alekhine had never beaten Capablanca in competition before this match. Despite this, he secured six wins against Capablanca’s three, with 25 draws. The 34-game contest was the longest world championship at the time.
Historical and Cultural Significance (H2)
Alekhine’s 1927 victory reshaped chess history. His superior preparation and endurance over 34 grueling games ended Capablanca’s reign. Despite repeated requests, Alekhine never granted Capablanca a rematch, solidifying their historic rivalry.
José Raúl Capablanca – Alexander Alekhine 15,5 – 18,5
World Chess Championship 1927 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
Game 26
Game 27
Game 28
Game 29
Game 30
Game 31
Game 32
Game 33
Game 34
Alexander Alekhine AI generated
World Chess Championship 1927
Alexander Alekhine, France
World Chess Championship 1927 | Capablanca – Alekhine | Games
Quote Sources
«For my victory over Capablanca I am indebted primarily to my superiority in the field of psychology.» – Alexander Alekhine (azquotes.com)
Sources
All sources, image credits, and content attributions are available on the main World Chess Champions page.