The fourth world champion Alexander Alekhine is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players ever. He has the dubious distinction of being the only player to have died as the reigning world champion, unfortunately because his final years coincided with the second world war.
One of the greatest strengths Alekhine had was his ability to evaluate the playing strength & limitations of his lesser opponents & act accordingly. Here’s a legendary story about Alekhine’s exploits.
Following position was reached in a game during a simultaneous exhibition given by Alekhine against a group of German officers in 1943. He was playing white.
 |
| BLACK TO MOVE – “I RESIGN, MY POSITION IS HOPELESS” |
