1933 in Chess - Exhibitions

Exhibitions

• The National Chess Federation (United States) organized a chess program for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. World Champion Alexander Alekhine played a blindfold simultaneous exhibition on a record-setting 32 boards, winning 19, drawing 9, and losing 4. This broke the previous record of 30 simultaneous blindfold games set by George Koltanowski in Antwerp. Alekhine also played three games of living chess, in which the chess pieces were people in medieval costumes arrayed on a large outdoor board. The last of these games, held on June 19, was against Edward Lasker. A masters tournament was planned for the Fair but was canceled due to lack of funds. The scheduled Intercollegiate Tournament was held and was won by Lieutenant John O. Matheson of West Point.