Imagine how awesome it would be to have your favorite high school math teacher become the World Chess Champion! The girls attending a Dutch Lyceum in 1935 had this happen when Machgielis “Max” Euwe defeated Alexander Alekhine in their World Championship Match. After winning the title, Max Euwe returned to the all girls Lyceum in Amsterdam to a school wide celebration!
For the most part, before his grand triumph over Alekhine, Max Euwe could only find time to play serious chess during school breaks. It was at a tournament during his Winter Break in 1927 that Euwe quickly defeated Siegfried Bernard van Mindeno. In the position below, Siegfried (black) has just played 16… Qxg5 which would be his final move. What was Max Euwe (white’s) game winning move which caused his opponent’s resignation?
