Alexander Alekhine

Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine was a Russian and French chess master, born October 31, 1892, and died March 24, 1946, who served as the fourth World Chess Champion across two separate reigns, from 1927 to 1935 and again from 1937 to 1946. He emigrated from Soviet Russia to France in 1921 and dominated tournament play through the 1920s before defeating José Raúl Capablanca in 1927 to claim the world title; he lost the crown to Max Euwe in 1935 but reclaimed it in their 1937 rematch. Known for fierce and imaginative attacking play combined with strong positional and endgame skill, he contributed lasting innovations across numerous chess openings, including Alekhine's Defence, and remains the only World Chess Champion to have died while still holding the title.