In 1940 Alekhine told some intimates that he would not mind losing his title to a master of the younger generation - Keres, Botvinnik - but he did not want to lose it to a player of his own generation. "I dominate them all!"

[ 803 Printable Games played by Alexander Alekhine ]

Birth: Oct 31, 1892 Moscow, Russia.
Death: Mar 24, 1946 Estoril, Portugal.
Nationality: Russian.
Biographical data: Russian player.
Russian Champion: 1909, 1914, 1920.
World Champion: 1927-1935, 1937-1946.

In tournaments Alekhine analyzed his adjourned games for hours and hours: during his meals, in bed or on a pocket set, and mentally while he was walking. Alekhine unlike Lasker and Capablanca really loved chess. He read everything which appeared on the game and was au courant with the smallest analysis ever written by a tyro in some unknown periodical.

Alekhine was no churchgoer. But he believed profoundly in the immortality of the soul, especially of his own. "I cannot conceive that nothing should be left of me after my death...."

Alekhine's culture and intelligence were extraordinary. He was an exceptionally well-read man and had really fluent command of about ten different languages.

Alekhine's partiality for alcohol caused his downfall. After his blindfold displays he would drink brandy in ordinary tumblerfuls. It is no secret that he played through some team tournaments in a glaring state of intoxication and he would agree to a draw, before playing, against all dangerous opponents in these event Alekhine was admired by all for his marvelous genius, but his character was unfortunately not up to his intelligence. He had innumerable acquaintances all over the world but few real friends. His selfishness and his oblivion of services rendered stunted all sympathy.

By Thomas Olsen

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