World Chess Championship 1935 — chess match between Alexander Alekhine and Max Euwe
Max Euwe became world chess champion by defeating title-holder Alexander Alekhine after overcoming a three-point deficit, marking a major upset in chess history.
Key Facts
- Match start date
- 3 October 1935
- Match end date
- 16 December 1935
- Winner
- Max Euwe (challenger)
- Deficit overcome
- Three points down after game 9
- Pre-match head-to-head
- Euwe vs Alekhine: 7–7 over previous 10 years
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Max Euwe, a Dutch mathematician and strong grandmaster, challenged reigning world champion Alexander Alekhine after their prior competitive record over a decade stood evenly at 7–7. Alekhine was considered the favorite, with former champion Capablanca assessing his game as stronger in certain respects than Euwe's.
The World Chess Championship match was contested across multiple cities and towns in the Netherlands from 3 October to 16 December 1935. Despite falling three points behind as late as the ninth game, Euwe mounted a comeback to defeat Alekhine and claim the world championship title.
Euwe's victory ended Alekhine's reign as world champion, making Euwe the fifth official World Chess Champion and the first and only Dutch player to hold the title. The result shocked the chess world, as Alekhine had been widely expected to retain his title.
Result
at Various cities and towns in the Netherlands