Max Euwe was a Dutch chess grandmaster, mathematician, and author. He was the fifth player to become World Chess Champion, a title he held from 1935 to 1937. Euwe served as the president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) from 1970 to 1978. He is noted for his contributions to chess opening theory, his writing on the game, and his efforts to promote chess around the world.
As a young man, Euwe studied mathematics at the University of Amsterdam, eventually earning a PhD. He worked as a mathematics teacher throughout his chess career, only becoming a professional chess player late in life. During World War II, Euwe worked to support and protect Dutch Jews, efforts that risked his own safety.
Euwe first gained international attention in chess scenes in the late 1920s and early 1930s, when he bested several top grandmasters in matches and tournaments. He was an aggressive player recognized for his deep understanding of chess positions and rigorous training regimen.
Euwe's most notable achievement was defeating reigning champion Alexander Alekhine in 1935 to become World Chess Champion. He lost a rematch in 1937, and never achieved similar success in subsequent championship pursuits. However, Euwe continued to be a strong player at the national and international level for several years.
In his later chess career, Euwe played an important role as an administrator. As President of FIDE, he implemented important rule changes, including those which legitimized the status of Bobby Fischer as World Champion in 1972. He also resolved a controversy around whether to grant Anatoly Karpov the title in 1975.
Euwe made significant contributions to chess opening theory, including the Dutch Defence, Grunfeld Defence, and Nimzo-Indian Defence. He wrote numerous books and articles on chess, and his work has been translated into many languages. Euwe also made efforts to popularize chess. He led the development of chess programming and promoted chess in schools. Euwe passed away in 1981, and remains a respected figure in the world of chess.