World Chess Championship 1927

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September 16 – November 29 | ⭐Alexander Alekhine (France)


Challenger: Alexander Alekhine

World Chess Championship 1927
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


World Chess Championship 1927
Alexander Alekhine AI generated

World Chess Championship 1927

Alexander Alekhine, France

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World Chess Championship 1927 | Capablanca – Alekhine | Games

Quote Sources

Sources

All sources, image credits, and content attributions are available on the main World Chess Champions page.