Top 10 Chess Players: José Raúl Capablanca (1888–1942), Cuba

José Raúl Capablanca was world champion from 1921 to 1927. Many people considered him the strongest player in the world prior to 1921, but he was unable to arrange a match with the then-champion, Emanuel Lasker.
When public sentiment became overwhelming in demand of a match, Lasker simply tried to resign his title to Capablanca. This behavior seems to add credence to the view that Capablanca was the better player years before the match finally took place. In fact, beginning in 1914, Capablanca lost only a single game over the next eight years.

Capablanca's dominance was so great that he was nicknamed "the chess machine." Even great players felt that he was unbeatable. Capablanca eventually became somewhat bored with chess because it was too easy. For him, it may have been.

In the game Capablanca-Benito Villegas from Buenos Aires in 1914, black (Villegas) has just played the move 17… cxd4 to arrive at the position shown here. (Check out Understanding Chess Notation if you need help with reading the moves.)

chess-capablanca-avoids
Capablanca avoids the "natural" move
Most players would play the seemingly routine move 18. Bxd4, but Capablanca has a better idea. He plays the following move:

18. Nxd7

If Villegas had played 18… dxe3, capturing white's queen, Capablanca would have continued with 19. Nxf6+ — see the following figure.

chess-capablanca-morton's
Black has a Morton's fork choice of either 19… gxf6 or 19… Kh8.
White would have delivered checkmate after 19… gxf6 20. Rg4+ Kh8 21. Bxf6#, but 19… Kh8 would also have lost to 20. Rh4, with the threat of 21. Rh7#. If black had avoided this threat by playing 20… h6, white would have gained the upper hand by playing 21. Rxh6+ gxh6 22. Nd5+, winning black's queen.

The truly great players could all see obvious moves, but they knew to look beyond them.

José Raúl Capablanca, born in 1888 in Cuba and passing away in 1942, stands as one of the most revered figures in the history of chess. Renowned for his exceptional natural talent and It seems that effortless style, he earned the title of World Chess Champion, holding it from 1921 to 1927.
Capablanca’s approach to the game was characterized by a remarkable clarity of thought and an innate ability to simplify complex positions into winning endgames. His moves often appeared intuitive, yet they were rooted in a deep understanding of chess principles, making him a master of positional play. Unlike many of his contemporaries who relied on extensive opening preparation, Capablanca’s strength lay in his extraordinary sense of the board, allowing him to navigate even the most intricate scenarios with poise.
He achieved numerous notable feats throughout his career, including a legendary unbeaten streak that spanned over eight years (from 1916 to 1924), a record that remained unbroken for decades. His matches against other chess greats, such as Emanuel Lasker and Alexander Alekhine, are still studied and celebrated for their strategic depth and brilliance.
Beyond his competitive success, Capablanca also made significant contributions to chess literature, penning influential works that helped shape modern chess theory. His emphasis on simplicity, accurate calculation, and understanding of pawn structures continues to inspire chess players of all levels to this day.
Known for his sportsmanship and humility, Capablanca remains a beloved icon in the chess world, remembered not only for his unparalleled skill but also for his role in popularizing the game globally. His legacy endures as a testament to the idea that true chess genius lies in making the complex appear simple.

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