Alekhine – Bogoljubow World Championship Match 1929
- dates
- 6 September–12 November 1929
- location
- Wiesbaden, Heidelberg and Berlin, Germany; The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Netherlands
- score
- 15½–9½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow)
- winner
- Alexander Alekhine

Efim Bogoljubow challenged Alekhine in a championship played across Germany and the Netherlands. Alekhine was defending the title he had won from Capablanca two years earlier.
The conditions required six wins and more than fifteen points. Alekhine exceeded both thresholds, finishing with eleven wins, five losses and nine draws. His 15½–9½ points score ended the match after twenty-five games.
All 25 played games appear below in match order. The game records preserve the archive’s player names, round numbers and dates, including unknown date components. Select either player in the embedded trainer to work through the decisions from that side. A drawn game remains a complete exercise for both players.
Match results
| Player | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 | Game 8 | Game 9 | Game 10 | Game 11 | Game 12 | Game 13 | Game 14 | Game 15 | Game 16 | Game 17 | Game 18 | Game 19 | Game 20 | Game 21 | Game 22 | Game 23 | Game 24 | Game 25 | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine | 1 | ½ | ½ | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 1 | 0 | 0 | ½ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ½ | 1 | 1 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 15½ |
| Efim Bogoljubow | 0 | ½ | ½ | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1 | 1 | ½ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | 9½ |
Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 25.
Completed 0 / 25
Game 1: Game 1: Alekhine wins in 26 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 (ECO D16). Alexander Alekhine won with White after 26 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 26.Ne5+. The running points score became 1–0 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 26 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 2: Game 2: a draw after 51 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 c5 (ECO E23). The players drew after 51 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 51.Rb3. The running points score became 1½–½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 51 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 3: Game 3: a draw after 70 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 (ECO D17). The players drew after 70 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 70...Qe1+. The running points score became 2–1 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 70 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 4: Game 4: Bogoljubow wins in 38 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 c5 (ECO E38). Efim Bogoljubow won with White after 38 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 38.Qc5. The running points score became 2–2 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 38 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 5: Game 5: Alekhine wins in 48 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 (ECO D17). Alexander Alekhine won with White after 48 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 48.Kc7. The running points score became 3–2 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 48 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 6: Game 6: Bogoljubow wins in 48 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 Qe7 (ECO E22). Efim Bogoljubow won with White after 48 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 48.f6. The running points score became 3–3 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 48 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 7: Game 7: Alekhine wins in 35 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 d5 (ECO D78). Alexander Alekhine won with White after 35 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 35.Bxf7+. The running points score became 4–3 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 35 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 8: Game 8: Alekhine wins in 30 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 b6 3.Nc3 Bb7 4.f3 d5 (ECO A50). Alexander Alekhine won with Black after 30 moves. The final move delivered checkmate. The running points score became 5–3 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 0-1 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 30 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 9: Game 9: a draw after 30 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 (ECO D52). The players drew after 30 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 30...Rxc3+. The running points score became 5½–3½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 30 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 10: Game 10: Alekhine wins in 50 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 (ECO D52). Alexander Alekhine won with Black after 50 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 50.Kh4. The running points score became 6½–3½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 0-1 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 50 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 11: Game 11: a draw after 63 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Nf3 d5 (ECO D51). The players drew after 63 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 63...Kc6. The running points score became 7–4 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 63 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 12: Game 12: Alekhine wins in 56 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 (ECO D52). Alexander Alekhine won with Black after 56 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 56...Kxd6. The running points score became 8–4 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 0-1 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 56 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 13: Game 13: Bogoljubow wins in 34 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 (ECO D52). Efim Bogoljubow won with Black after 34 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 34...exd4. The running points score became 8–5 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 0-1 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 34 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 14: Game 14: Bogoljubow wins in 71 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 (ECO D30). Efim Bogoljubow won with White after 71 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 71.e7+. The running points score became 8–6 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 71 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 15: Game 15: a draw after 44 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 Bg7 4.e4 O-O (ECO E70). The players drew after 44 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 44...Qc6. The running points score became 8½–6½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 44 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 16: Game 16: Alekhine wins in 60 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 (ECO D30). Alexander Alekhine won with Black after 60 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 60...Qe3+. The running points score became 9½–6½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 0-1 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 60 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 17: Game 17: Alekhine wins in 34 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 (ECO D70). Alexander Alekhine won with White after 34 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 34.Bxb6. The running points score became 10½–6½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 34 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 18: Game 18: Bogoljubow wins in 51 moves
The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 (ECO C11). Efim Bogoljubow won with White after 51 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 51.Ka4. The running points score became 10½–7½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 51 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 19: Game 19: Alekhine wins in 77 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 e6 (ECO D51). Alexander Alekhine won with White after 77 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 77.Ke3. The running points score became 11½–7½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 77 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 20: Game 20: a draw after 48 moves
The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 (ECO C79). The players drew after 48 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 48.Rh1. The running points score became 12–8 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 48 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 21: Game 21: Alekhine wins in 49 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 c5 (ECO E22). Alexander Alekhine won with White after 49 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 49.Qxe7. The running points score became 13–8 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1-0 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 49 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 22: Game 22: Alekhine wins in 39 moves
The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 (ECO C76). Alexander Alekhine won with Black after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39...h5. The running points score became 14–8 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 0-1 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 39 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 23: Game 23: a draw after 83 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 (ECO D46). The players drew after 83 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 83.Kg7. The running points score became 14½–8½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 83 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 24: Game 24: a draw after 38 moves
The opening moves were 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 (ECO C11). The players drew after 38 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 38...Qa4+. The running points score became 15–9 (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efim Bogoljubow – Alexander Alekhine 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 38 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 25: Game 25: a draw after 55 moves
The opening moves were 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.e3 e6 (ECO D30). The players drew after 55 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 55...Kf7. The running points score became 15½–9½ (Alekhine–Bogoljubow).
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Alekhine – Efim Bogoljubow 1/2-1/2 | World Championship 14th | 1929 | 55 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Sources and image credits
- Results source · Additional game records
- 1929 tournament background and results (Wikipedia)
- 1929 World Championship: match background, format and outcome (Wikipedia)
- 1929 championship: complete game archive (PGN Mentor)
- Game 1: Game 1: Alekhine wins in 26 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 2: Game 2: a draw after 51 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 3: Game 3: a draw after 70 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 4: Game 4: Bogoljubow wins in 38 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 5: Game 5: Alekhine wins in 48 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 6: Game 6: Bogoljubow wins in 48 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 7: Game 7: Alekhine wins in 35 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 8: Game 8: Alekhine wins in 30 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 9: Game 9: a draw after 30 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 10: Game 10: Alekhine wins in 50 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 11: Game 11: a draw after 63 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 12: Game 12: Alekhine wins in 56 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 13: Game 13: Bogoljubow wins in 34 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 14: Game 14: Bogoljubow wins in 71 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 15: Game 15: a draw after 44 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 16: Game 16: Alekhine wins in 60 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 17: Game 17: Alekhine wins in 34 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 18: Game 18: Bogoljubow wins in 51 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 19: Game 19: Alekhine wins in 77 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 20: Game 20: a draw after 48 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 21: Game 21: Alekhine wins in 49 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 22: Game 22: Alekhine wins in 39 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 23: Game 23: a draw after 83 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 24: Game 24: a draw after 38 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Game 25: Game 25: a draw after 55 moves — game record (PGN Mentor)
- Alexander Alekhine in a historical portrait from the George Grantham Bain Collection. The portrait is not identified as a photograph from this match. — photograph (Wikimedia Commons) · Public domain image license
- Full image credits and attribution