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Chess 28 Mar 1946, Thu Brooklyn Eagle (Brooklyn, New York) Newspapers.com
Dr. Alekhine's Passing Leaves Throne Vacant
By Hermann Helms
With the passing of Dr. Alexander A. Alekhine, Franco-Russian master, at Estoril near Lisbon on Sunday, the position of chess champion of the world has suddenly become vacant. Only a short while before, negotiations had been begun for a title match between the champion and Mikhail Botvinnik the ace player of the Soviet. Moscow had offered to contribute $10,000 to the fund and the British Chess Federation had taken under advisement the question of sponsoring the contest. Had these plans been carried out, two natives of Russia would have competed for the title before the end of the year.
A report, emanating from Amsterdam, contained the proposition that Dr. Max Euwe of that city, who held the title for two years, 1935 to 1937, favored a tournament for the title among the ten most likely candidates, preferably to be held in America. Great Britain, however, is still to be heard from in this connection. Elbert A. Wagner Jr., of Chicago, president of the United States Chess Federation, expects that the International Chess Federation, now in process of reorganization, will place the matter on the agenda for its meeting to be held in Switzerland during the Summer. In case this is not done, then the U.S.C.F. officials will go into action.
