Alekhine - World Chess Champion (1927-46)

Alekhine (Alexander Alekhine, 4th World Champion)

Definition

Alexander Alekhine (1892–1946) was a Russian–French grandmaster and the fourth World Chess Champion. Celebrated for his ferocious attacking style, deep calculation, and original opening ideas, he held the world title from 1927–1935 and 1937–1946, and remains the only champion to have died while still holding the crown.

Usage

In chess writing, “Alekhine” most often refers to the player himself, his games, or concepts associated with him, such as Alekhine's Defense and Alekhine's Gun. Phrases like “Alekhine-like attack” typically describe a direct, tactical onslaught supported by energetic piece play.

Strategic and Historical Significance

• World Champion: Defeated José Raúl Capablanca in 1927, then later regained the title from Max Euwe in 1937.
• Opening Theory: Popularized hypermodern ideas in certain e4 openings and left his name on multiple systems and variations.
• Combinational Style: Famous for multi-move tactical sequences, sacrificial attacks, and exploitation of overextended pawn structures.
• Legacy: His game collection “My Best Games of Chess” is a classic, studied for both its annotations and instructional value.

Examples and Notable Games

• Alekhine vs. Nimzowitsch, San Remo 1930: The archetypal demonstration of Alekhine's Gun on the c-file, culminating in decisive pressure against a backward pawn.
• Alekhine vs. Yates, London 1922: A sparkling attacking win featuring a sustained initiative and piece sacrifices to expose the enemy king.
• World Championship Matches: Beat Capablanca (Buenos Aires 1927) to claim the title; lost to Euwe (1935), then convincingly won the rematch (1937).

Interesting Facts

• Pronunciation: Commonly “Al-YEH-khin.” You’ll also hear “Al-EK-ine.”
• Nationality: Born in Moscow, later became a French citizen and played for France in Olympiads.
• Died Champion: Passed away in 1946 in Estoril, Portugal, still officially World Champion.
• Enduring Influence: Modern grandmasters still study his attacking games as models of calculation and initiative.

Alekhine's Defense (1. e4 Nf6)

Definition

A hypermodern defense against 1. e4 where Black immediately attacks the e4-pawn with 1...Nf6, inviting White to advance and gain space with tempo. The idea is to provoke an overextended pawn center and later undermine it.

Usage

Players choose Alekhine’s Defense to steer the game into imbalanced, strategic battles. It’s less common at elite level than 1...e5, the Sicilian, or the French/Caros, but it’s a respected surprise weapon. Masters like Viktor Korchnoi, Lev Alburt, and, famously, Bobby Fischer (Fischer vs. Spassky, 1972, Game 13) have used it successfully.

Main Ideas and Plans

• Provocation: After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5, White often builds a big center with c4 and d4; Black aims to chip away with ...d6, ...c5, and piece pressure.
• Undermining Structure: Black attacks the pawns with moves like ...dxe5, ...c5, ...Nc6-a5-c4 maneuvers, and pressure on the e5/d4/c4 complex.
• Piece Play: Black’s knight often reroutes from d5 to b6 or b4; bishops target central squares and the long diagonals after ...g6 ...Bg7 in many lines.

Key Variations

• Modern Variation: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6. Black fianchettoes and plays for ...Bg7 and central strikes with ...c5.
• Four Pawns Attack: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4. White grabs massive space; Black must counter quickly with ...dxe5, ...c5, and piece activity.
• Exchange Variation: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 cxd6. Leads to Caro–Kann-like structures with dynamic piece play.

Illustrative Sample Lines

Modern Variation structure:

Four Pawns Attack idea:

Historical Notes

• Named after Alexander Alekhine, who advocated the defense and played it in top events.
• Bobby Fischer famously sprung it as Black against Boris Spassky in Reykjavik 1972 (Game 13), scoring a key win.

Practical Tips

• With White: Avoid overextension; develop quickly and be ready to support the center with pieces, not just pawns.
• With Black: Strike back at the base of White’s pawn chain (e5/d4/c4). Timely ...c5 and piece pressure on d4/e5 are critical.

Alekhine's Gun

Definition

A powerful heavy-piece battery in which a queen backs up two rooks along the same open file. Classically, the two rooks are placed in front, with the queen behind them (from the attacker’s perspective: Queen–Rook–Rook on one file), maximizing pressure on a target square or pawn.

Usage

Used to intensify pressure on a fixed weakness (often a backward pawn) on an open or half-open file. The formation magnifies tactical threats like sacrifices on the target square, pins against the king or queen, and decisive invasions on the 7th rank.

Strategic Significance

• Preconditions: Requires an open file and ideally a fixed target (e.g., a backward c- or d-pawn) that cannot advance safely.
• Coordination: Rooks occupy advanced file squares; the queen sits behind, overprotecting and renewing threats after exchanges.
• Counterplay: The defender seeks to block the file, trade a rook to defuse the battery, or create counter-threats elsewhere.

Famous Example

Alekhine vs. Aron Nimzowitsch, San Remo 1930. Alekhine arranged his rooks on the c-file with his queen behind them, piling up on Black’s backward c-pawn until the position collapsed. This quintessential demonstration gave the formation its enduring name.

How to Visualize It

Imagine White attacking down the c-file: rooks on c1 and c2, queen on c3, all bearing down on c7. The c-pawn is fixed by a piece or pawn on c6/c7; Black’s pieces are tied to defense, making tactical breaks (like Rc7 or Rxc7) decisive.

Practical Tip

• Don’t force the setup prematurely. First fix the target, secure entry squares, and ensure your king safety before assembling the “gun.”

Alekhine in Opening Names (Selected)

Definition

Beyond the e4 defense and the heavy-piece battery, Alekhine’s name appears in several opening sub-variations, reflecting his theoretical contributions and practical examples.

Examples

• Alekhine–Chatard Attack (often called the Albin–Chatard Attack) in the French Defense: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4!? leading to aggressive king-side play for White.
• Various “Alekhine Variations” across openings (e.g., in the Queen’s Gambit or Nimzo-Indian) where he introduced notable ideas or move orders.

Interesting Note

Opening nomenclature often reflects both originators and popularizers; Alekhine’s breadth of contribution means his name attaches to ideas he played, refined, or championed in practice.