Alekhine's first known game was from a correspondence chess tournament that began on December 3, 1902, when he was ten years old.
He participated in several correspondence tournaments, sponsored by the chess magazine Shakhmatnoe Obozrenie ("Chess Review"), in 1902–1911.
In 1907, Alekhine played his first over-the-board tournament, the Moscow chess club's Spring Tournament.
Later that year, he tied for 11th–13th in the club's Autumn Tournament; his older brother, Alexei, tied for 4th–6th place.
In 1908, Alexander won the club's Spring Tournament, at the age of 15.
In 1909, he won the All-Russian Amateur Tournament in Saint Petersburg.
For the next few years, he played in increasingly stronger tournaments, some of them outside Russia.
At first he had mixed results, but by the age of 16 he had established himself as one of Russia's top players.
He played first board in two friendly team matches: St. Petersburg Chess Club vs. Moscow Chess Club in 1911 and Moscow vs. St. Petersburg in 1912 (both drew with Yevgeny Znosko-Borovsky).
By the end of 1911, Alekhine moved to St. Petersburg, where he entered the Imperial Law School for Nobles.
By 1912, he was the strongest chess player in the St. Petersburg Chess Society.
In March 1912, he won the St. Petersburg Chess Club Winter Tournament.
In April 1912, he won the 1st Category Tournament of the St. Petersburg Chess Club.
In January 1914, Alekhine won his first major Russian tournament, when he tied for first place with Aron Nimzowitsch in the All-Russian Masters Tournament at St. Petersburg.
Afterwards, they drew in a mini-match for first prize (each won a game).
Alekhine also played several matches in this period, and his results showed the same pattern: mixed at first but later consistently good.
Alekhine's first known game was from a correspondence chess tournament that began on December 3, 1902, when he was ten years old. He participated in several correspondence tournaments, sponsored by the chess magazine Shakhmatnoe Obozrenie ("Chess Review"), in 1902–1911. In 1907, Alekhine played his first over-the-board tournament, the Moscow chess club's Spring Tournament. Later that year, he tied for 11th–13th in the club's Autumn Tournament; his older brother, Alexei, tied for 4th–6th place. In 1908, Alexander won the club's Spring Tournament, at the age of 15. In 1909, he won the All-Russian Amateur Tournament in Saint Petersburg. For the next few years, he played in increasingly stronger tournaments, some of them outside Russia. At first he had mixed results, but by the age of 16 he had established himself as one of Russia's top players. He played first board in two friendly team matches: St. Petersburg Chess Club vs. Moscow Chess Club in 1911 and Moscow vs. St. Petersburg in 1912 (both drew with Yevgeny Znosko-Borovsky). By the end of 1911, Alekhine moved to St. Petersburg, where he entered the Imperial Law School for Nobles. By 1912, he was the strongest chess player in the St. Petersburg Chess Society. In March 1912, he won the St. Petersburg Chess Club Winter Tournament. In April 1912, he won the 1st Category Tournament of the St. Petersburg Chess Club. In January 1914, Alekhine won his first major Russian tournament, when he tied for first place with Aron Nimzowitsch in the All-Russian Masters Tournament at St. Petersburg. Afterwards, they drew in a mini-match for first prize (each won a game). Alekhine also played several matches in this period, and his results showed the same pattern: mixed at first but later consistently good.
Alexander Alekhine