Born in Havana, Cuba, on November 19, 1888, José Raúl Capablanca is one of the most admired grandmasters

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Since his childhood, Capablanca has displayed incredible talent for chess. At the age of 4, he learned the rules simply by watching his father play, and at 13, he won the Cuban national championship. In 1921, at the age of 22, he defeated the reigning world champion Emanuel Lasker and claimed the world championship title. He held onto his title for eight years without a single defeat.

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He is nicknamed «The Mozart of Chess» due to his remarkable technical mastery, virtuoso skill, and elegant style. Capablanca is renowned for his solid positional approach, his ability to simplify complex positions, and his deep understanding of endgames. Furthermore, he significantly contributed to opening theory, particularly in the Sicilian Defense and the French Defense.

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In addition to his numerous chess achievements, he also played diplomatic roles and served as a Cuban ambassador in Europe. Capablanca passed away in 1942 during a bombing in London during World War II.

 

Sources:

1. https://www.chess.com/players/jose-raul-capablanca

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ra%C3%BAl_Capablanca

3. https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=14409

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