José Capablanca

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban chess player, born on November 19, 1888, in Havana, Cuba. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time. Capablanca began his professional career in the early 1900s and soon became known for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play.

Capablanca is known for his intuitive style, precision, and the clarity of his play. He won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as being the world chess champion from 1921 to 1927.

Off the board, Capablanca was also recognized for his charm, good looks, and personal elegance, earning him the nickname 'the Chess Machine'.

Early Years

• Youth and Early Career: Capablanca was born and raised in Havana and learned to play chess at a very young age. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Cuban national champion in 1901.

International Competitions

• Early Success: Capablanca won his first major international tournament at San Sebastian in 1911, making him one of the world's top players. He continued to dominate the chess world for the next decade, rarely losing a game.

World Chess Champion

• World Championship Success: Capablanca won the World Chess Championship in 1921 and held the title until 1927. His games from this period are still studied for their clarity and logic.

Cuban National Team

• International Success: Capablanca represented Cuba in international competitions, achieving remarkable success. He won the world championship and was a dominant force in international chess for several years.

• Style: Capablanca was known for his clear, logical style of play. He excelled in the endgame and was renowned for making complex positions appear simple.
• Skills: Capablanca's ability to intuitively understand complex positions, his imaginative play, and his ability to create and exploit tiny advantages were key elements of his style.

• Family: Capablanca was married twice and had a son and a daughter. His first wife was Gloria Simoni Betancourt, and his second wife was Olga Chagodaef.
• Later Life: After his reign as world champion, Capablanca remained an active and strong player, but he suffered a stroke while watching a chess game in 1942 and died shortly after.

• José Raúl Capablanca is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his contribution to chess theory and his influence on future generations of players. His games continue to be studied and admired for their timeless beauty and clarity.

Chess Championships:

• World Chess Champion from 1921 to 1927

National Championships:

• Cuban National Champion at the age of 12

International Tournament Wins:

• San Sebastian 1911, New York 1924, Moscow 1936, among others

Books

• Capablanca, J.R. (1921) Chess Fundamentals. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.
• Reinfeld, F. (1947) The Immortal Games of Capablanca. New York: Chess Review.

Websites

• Chess.com: Information about Capablanca’s career and games. Available at: https://www.chess.com
• Chessgames.com: A comprehensive collection of Capablanca’s games. Available at: https://www.chessgames.com

Articles

• ChessBase: José Raúl Capablanca: A Chess Biography. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com

Interviews and Documentaries

• Capablanca's Last Chess Lecture (1939): A filmed lecture by Capablanca, one of the earliest examples of a chess lecture on film.