The Chess Hall of Fame: Birthday tributes - Max Euwe: A Gentleman of Science and Chess
Today we honor the birthday of Dr. Max Euwe, the fifth World Chess Champion, born on 20 May 1901 in Amsterdam. Euwe stands among the greatest figures in the history of chess – not only for his accomplishments over the board, but for his profound contributions to mathematics, computing, education, and his principled leadership of the international chess community.
The Triumph over Alekhine – 1935 World Championship
In the mid-1930s, the chess world was stunned when Max Euwe, a mild-mannered mathematics teacher with a reputation for deep preparation and positional clarity, challenged the reigning World Champion Alexander Alekhine, a fearsome attacking genius. Their 1935 match in the Netherlands was expected to be a formality for Alekhine. Yet, over 30 grueling games, Euwe’s steadiness, strong nerves, and deep positional understanding prevailed. He defeated Alekhine 15½–14½, becoming the first amateur World Champion and the only Dutchman ever to hold the crown.
His win was more than a sporting upset—it was a triumph of preparation, logic, and character. Euwe’s example inspired a generation of players to believe that brilliance could be matched by discipline and integrity. I have selected two games from Euwe's first match against Alekhine. While they are not masterpieces in terms of quality, they proed decisive for the overall outcome. After winning four of his first seven games Alekhine was in commanding 5-2 lead. However, he then suffered a setback, followed with two defeats in the games eight and ten (he won the game nine). In such a shaky psychological situation Euwe won the 12th and 14th games each with white against Grunfeld Defence. With the score levelled Alekhine abandoned Grunfeld for the remainder of the match. This shift in momentum greatly boosted Euwe's confidence and he ultimately went on to win the match, thus becoming the fifth World Chess Champion.
Here are the games 12 and 14!
The Rematch – Alekhine Returns in 1937
In 1937, Alekhine reclaimed the title in a rematch in the Netherlands. This time, the Russian-French champion returned with renewed energy and won 15½–9½. However, Euwe’s sportsmanship, his refusal to demand conditions or protections as champion, and his conduct during both matches won him universal admiration. The contests between Euwe and Alekhine remain among the most significant in chess history—a clash of styles, but also of values.
The Road Not Taken – 1948 Candidates and Botvinnik’s Rise
After Alekhine’s sudden death in 1946, the World Championship title was declared vacant. Euwe was invited to participate in the 1948 World Championship tournament, organized by FIDE. He competed alongside Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, Paul Keres, and Samuel Reshevsky. Though Euwe finished last, his participation marked a bridge between the classical era of Lasker, Capablanca, and Alekhine and the new Soviet-dominated age of chess.
Scholar and Pioneer
Away from the board, Euwe was a brilliant scholar. He earned a doctorate in mathematics, taught at several Dutch institutions, and published numerous influential works on chess and logic. He was among the first to explore the interface between chess and informatics, paving the way for future developments in computer chess.
His books, including The Middlegame (with Kramer) and Judgement and Planning in Chess, are still referenced by serious players today. Euwe’s writing combined clarity with scientific rigor—just like his play.
FIDE President and World Statesman
In 1970, at a time of deep Cold War tensions, Euwe was elected President of FIDE (the International Chess Federation), assuming office in 1971. During his presidency (1971–1978), he was a tireless advocate for expanding chess into developing nations and defending fair play, often having to mediate between powerful political blocs.
Notably, he played a critical role during the turbulent Fischer–Karpov negotiations, defending FIDE’s rules and traditions while navigating one of the most challenging periods in chess diplomacy.
A Gentleman to the End
Max Euwe embodied the values of decency, respect, and intellectual humility. He was universally respected, even by those who disagreed with him politically or over the board. Soviet Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh once remarked, “Euwe was the only World Champion who was truly a gentleman—on and off the board.”
Perhaps one of Euwe’s most famous quotes reflects his thoughtful spirit: “Strategy requires thought; tactics require observation.”
It is a quote that captures Euwe’s essence—a man of reason, a strategist in life as in chess.
Legacy
Dr. Max Euwe remains a beloved figure in the world of chess. He showed that it was possible to be both a world-class competitor and a humble educator, a sharp tactician and a true gentleman. His legacy lives on in Amsterdam’s Max Euwe Centrum, in his writings, and in the enduring respect of the global chess community.
On this day, we remember not just a champion, but a role model for generations. Happy birthday, Dr. Euwe—chess was lucky to have you.
