So way back in the 1930′s when Alekhine was the world chess champion, having recently defeated the great Capablance for the world title, he was asked whether any guaranteed winning strategy might ever be discovered for the great enigma of the game of chess. He replied with a story.
He related that some years before he had been in a hotel room getting ready for a tournament the next day and as such he was hoping for an early night. It was stormy outside and the branches pattered against the window and so it took him some time to recognize the tapping on the door as that of a human.
He opened his door wearily and there on the balcony stood a tramp. His hair was unwashed, he was dressed in an old suit with patches and he hadn't shaved in days.
"I can beat you in 9 moves!" the tramp told him.
Alekhine examined the man, decided that he was delusional but not dangerous and tried to close the door but the tramp placed his foot in the doorway and insisted:
"No, really, I can beat you in 9 moves!"
"Is it money you want?" Alekhine asked with a sigh, "I might have a few coins on my bedside table."
"Just set up the pieces – you'll see!"
Finally, Alekhine shrugged in exasperation. "If I play you will you go away?"
The tramp nodded and then shuffled inside to where a table was already set up, Alekhine having been practicing openings earlier in the night. The world champion pulled up a chair for the tramp wearily, hoping the smell he brought with him wouldn't linger once he was gone. Then Alekhine sat down opposite him, began the game and... lost in 9 moves.
Rubbing the sleep from his eye he scowled at the smirk now hosted by the tramp's face and demanded a rematch. But once again, the unwelcome visitor defeated him at once. Alekhine was now profoundly disturbed and hurried out of the room and down the hallway where the former champion, Capablanca, was lodged in preparation for a tournament. Capablanca was tired and moody, not feeling too well-disposed towards Alekhine since losing the title but finally agreed to give in to his rival's caprice and shuffled down the corridor to play the tramp.
Capablanca, too, lost in 9 moves.
"So what did you do?" the other guests at the party asked Alekhine. He shrugged.
"We killed him, of course."
--
