Description
The special hardback edition.
When Max Euwe defeated Alexander Alekhine in 1935, the chess world was stunned. A modest Dutch mathematics teacher had dethroned the most charismatic and feared champion of his time.
Almost immediately, doubts arose, Was Euwe truly worthy of the crown Did he really belong in the lineage of Anderssen, Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca and Alekhine himself Nearly a century later, these questions still influence how Euwe is remembered and, all too often, how he is underestimated. This book takes a fresh look at Euwes years as World Champion and presents solid evidence. It challenges the familiar narrative that portrays his reign as a brief intermezzo, largely created by Alekhines powerful and enduring self portrait. Euwe himself never played that game. He analysed his victories soberly, credited his opponents generously and avoided self glorification, even when it was fully deserved. Drawing on contemporary sources, tournament results, and a close examination of Euwes games with todays best computers, the authors place his achievements in their proper historical context.
The picture that emerges is clear, Euwe did not merely win the title, he belonged at the very top. In the mid 1930s, he was consistently on par with and at times surpassed the strongest players in the world. This book offers a balanced reassessment. However, it leads to an unmistakable conclusion, Max Euwe was not a footnote in chess history, he was a true World Champion.
Hardback, 188 pages.
