Max Euwe World Champion!

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 Euwe’s years as World Champion and presents solid evidence. It challenges the familiar narrative that portrays his reign as a brief intermezzo, largely created by Alekhine’s 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 Euwe’s games with today’s 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.

Paul van der Sterren is a grandmaster and two-time Dutch champion who qualified for the Candidates Matches. He is a prolific author and won the ECF Chess Book of the Year Award in 2024 for his autobiography, In Black and White. His other books include Mindful Chess and Fundamental Chess Openings.

Erwin l’Ami is a grandmaster, former Dutch champion and winner of the 2015 Reykjavik Open. He is a highly regarded opening expert and has published several Chessable courses. He is also a renowned second, having worked with chess greats such as Veselin Topalov and Anish Giri.