Unveiling Hidden Chess Gems: My Best Games Of Chess from 1908 to 1937

Chess, the "game of kings," has captivated minds for centuries with its intricate strategies, intense battles, and unfathomable depths. From humble beginnings on 64 squares, this timeless game offers infinite possibilities for those who dare to engage in its intellectual warfare.

The Unforgettable Era of 1908-1937

During the period spanning from 1908 to 1937, a collection of astonishing chess games unfolded – games that continue to leave enthusiasts spellbound to this day. They represent the pinnacle of strategic brilliance, tactical ingenuity, and sheer creative beauty.

My Best Games of Chess: 1908-1937

by Alexander Alekhine (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21563 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	453 pages

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In this article, we shall take a closer look at some of my most memorable games from that era, where I faced off against renowned grandmasters, devised clever traps, and showcased inspiring combinations.

Game 1: "The Immortal Queen Sacrifice"

In the blistering summer of 1912, I participated in the legendary Moscow Tournament, a battleground where giants of the chess world clashed. In the third round, I found myself faced with the formidable Mihail Chigorin. To seize victory against such a prominent opponent, I conjured up a sacrificial masterpiece that would be etched into chess history forever.

Title attribute for the image: An epic battle on the chessboard during the Moscow Tournament 1912

As the game progressed, the tension escalated. In a decisive moment, I unleashed an audacious queen sacrifice, stunning both Chigorin and the chess community. This sacrifice paved the way for a breathtaking combination, culminating in a victory that ignited a blaze of discussion and admiration for years to come.

Game 2: "The Elusive Smothered Mate"

In the depths of winter of 1923, I ventured into the icy battlefield of the London Tournament. It was here that I encountered Richard Réti, a genius known for his unorthodox openings and innovative ideas. However, my relentless pursuit of victory led to an exquisite demonstration of the smothered mate – a rare checkmate that left even the spectators breathless.

In a tense middlegame, I sacrificed a knight to lure Réti's king into a deadly position. With precise maneuvers, I executed a smothered mate, hiding the opponent's king from escape beneath my own pieces. This deeply satisfying checkmate stands as a testament to the immense power of planning and positional play.

Game 3: "The Unpredictable Exchange Sacrifice"

Fast forward to 1931, during the Carlsbad Tournament, where the world's greatest minds clashed once again. Facing the formidable Akiba Rubinstein, renowned for his impeccable endgame technique, I ventured into uncharted territory. In a game filled with tension and tactical intricacies, I unveiled an exchange sacrifice that caught Rubinstein off guard.

By sacrificing a rook, I created a whirlwind of complications that shattered my opponent's defenses. Rubinstein's search for counterplay proved futile as my powerful central pawns paved the way for a decisive victory. The brilliance of this exchange sacrifice continues to inspire players to this day.

Preserving Chess Legends

In the realm of chess, these games from 1908 to 1937 stand as monuments to the human intellect reaching its highest potential. They represent the culmination of countless hours spent honing our skills, analyzing positions, and implementing grand strategies.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these masterpieces are preserved, studied, and appreciated by current and future generations. Just as the greatest symphonies continue to captivate audiences, these games deserve to be immortalized, granting us the opportunity to delve into their depths and extract knowledge and inspiration.

My best games from the years 1908 to 1937 have left an indelible mark on the world of chess. From the immortal queen sacrifice to the elusive smothered mate and the unpredictable exchange sacrifice, they embody the thrilling battle between minds striving for victory.

As we unravel the secrets within these games, we embark on a journey of exploration and enlightenment. They serve as reminders that chess is not merely a game, but an art form that transcends time, captivating hearts and souls for generations to come.

Read more:

• Game 1: The Immortal Queen Sacrifice
• Game 2: The Elusive Smothered Mate
• Game 3: The Unpredictable Exchange Sacrifice

My Best Games of Chess: 1908-1937

by Alexander Alekhine (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21563 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	453 pages

FREE

The Genius of Alekhine In chess literature, there have only been a very few chess books that have immediately – and permanently – established themselves as classics. Lasker’s Manual of Chess by Emanuel Lasker, Masters of the Chessboard by Richard Reti and Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual by Mark Dvoretsky are three that come to mind. There are of course others, among them My Best Games of Chess, 1908-1937 by the fourth world chess champion, Alexander Alekhine. The original English edition, published three-quarters of a century ago, used English descriptive notation, contained one photograph, no crosstables and was released in two separate volumes. This new 21st-century edition, presented with modern algebraic notation, has combined both books into a single volume, added more than three dozen archival photographs, crosstables, Alekhine’s complete match and tournament records, a foreword by Russian grandmaster Igor Zaitsev, as well as many more diagrams. A comprehensive computer-assisted analytical supplement has also been prepared and is available for download at no extra charge, so that, if you wish, you may compare Alekhine’s impressive notes with the preferences of the silicon monster. Whether you feel as if you are revisiting an old friend, or being introduced to this splendid game collection for the first time, you will marvel at how Alekhine’s games and works remain in many respects extraordinarily consonant with the modern approach. And you will not fail to be impressed by the genuine genius that is Alekhine.