World Chess Champions: A Historical Overview
The world chess championship has existed in its modern form since 1886. The following is a brief overview of each world champion through the era most relevant to this site.
Wilhelm Steinitz (Champion 1886–1894)
The first official world champion, Steinitz was also the founder of modern positional chess theory. Where earlier players relied on romantic attacking play and improvisation, Steinitz developed a systematic approach: accumulate small advantages, maintain the initiative, and exploit permanent weaknesses. His ideas were controversial in his lifetime but ultimately foundational. He held the title until his late fifties, losing to the much younger Lasker in 1894.
Emanuel Lasker (Champion 1894–1921)
The longest-reigning world champion in history — twenty-seven years. See the full article on Lasker.
Jose Raul Capablanca (Champion 1921–1927)
The Cuban genius whose flawless technique and natural chess talent made him the dominant player of his era. See the full article on Capablanca.
Alexander Alekhine (Champion 1927–1935, 1937–1946)
The subject of this site. Alekhine won the title from Capablanca in 1927, lost it to Euwe in 1935, and regained it in 1937. He held it until his death in 1946. See the full biography.
Max Euwe (Champion 1935–1937)
The Dutch mathematician who held the world title for two years. Euwe was a strong and well-prepared player who defeated Alekhine in 1935 when the champion was in poor form. He lost the rematch in 1937. He later served as President of FIDE for many years.
After Alekhine: The FIDE Era
When Alekhine died in 1946 without a designated challenger, FIDE organized a match-tournament in 1948 to determine his successor. The participants were Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, Paul Keres, Samuel Reshevsky, and Reuben Fine (who withdrew). Botvinnik won convincingly, becoming world champion and inaugurating the era of Soviet chess dominance that would last for decades.
| Champion | Years | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Wilhelm Steinitz | 1886–1894 | Austria / USA |
| Emanuel Lasker | 1894–1921 | Germany |
| Jose Raul Capablanca | 1921–1927 | Cuba |
| Alexander Alekhine | 1927–1935 | Russia / France |
| Max Euwe | 1935–1937 | Netherlands |
| Alexander Alekhine | 1937–1946 | Russia / France |
| Mikhail Botvinnik | 1948–1963 (with interruptions) | USSR |