"In Case I Become Famous": Alexander Alekhine's Earliest Recorded Games

The Digital archive of Russian Chess Federation has, among other things, a handwritten notebook featuring Alexander Alekhine's earliest correspondence games. Even at 10 years old, the young Alexander seemed to be ambitious: on the title page, he wrote, "In Case I Become Famous".

I'm no chess analyst, so I'll just post the games as they were. All comments and exclamation marks by Alekhine, unless otherwise stated. Analysis is, of course, very welcome

6th Shakhmatnoe Obozrenie tournament, 1902/03

Round 1

Alekhine ultimately lost the game, but there was no score after that position.

Round 2

Round 3

Gottesman quit the tournament; judging by crosstable given by Alekhine, the game was declared a draw.

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

We finally get an Alekhine win!

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

You don't often see Alekhine (even at age 10) crushed so thoroughly, do you? Technically, due to 24... Bg7, it's no mate in seven, but rather mate in ten though.

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Petrov quit the tournament, so Alekhine won both games by forfeit.

Round 15

Round 16

Urusov quit the tournament, so Alekhine won both games by forfeit.

Round 17

Round 18