Alexander Alekhine

Born in Moscow, Russia, on October 31, 1892, Alexander Alekhine would become one of the greatest enigmas in chess history. Showing only moderate talent during the younger years, -lacking any prodigious gift for the game, with full development being stunted until his thirties, he would inexplicably become one of the greatest attacking players of all time. In 1927, Alekhine would do the impossible and take down the impenetrable Jose Capablanca for the World Championship. This was no small order, as Capablanca had the unusual gift of pure intuitive play and was considered the greatest natural talent to ever be born. From 1927, and throughout the 1930s, Alekhine would dominate chess, losing the World Championship only once to Max Euwe in 1935, then regaining it in 1937 after a period of sobriety. Dominating tournament after tournament, sometimes with perfect scores, he would achieve the highest winning percentage (72.9) of any World Champion. An achievement beyond prodigious, yet from a player who lacked any sign or pedigree hinting at genius.