José Raúl Capablanca
Cuban chess player, 1888-1942
A chess prodigy, he beat Cuban champion Juan Corzo in a match in 1901. He won the 1911 San Sebastian tournament ahead of players such as Akiba Rubinstein, Aron Nimzowitsch and Siegbert Tarrasch. Capablanca was world chess champion from 1921 to 1927. He lost the title in 1927 to Alexander Alekhine, who had never beaten Capablanca before the match. Following unsuccessful attempts to arrange a rematch over many years, relations between them became bitter. Capablanca excelled in simple positions and endgames, he could play tactical chess when necessary, and had good defensive technique. His style of chess was influential in the play of future world champions Bobby Fischer and Anatoly Karpov.
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Cuban chess player who was world chess champion from 1921 to 1927 (1888-1942). Photograph postcard dated and signed, „J.R. Capablanca". Moscow. 5 1/2x3 3/4 inches; few scattered creases, minor silvering in dark areas, faint scattered soiling, correspondence side blank.
$ 5,238 / 4.500 €
(78177)
Bust portrait by Boris Kudoyarov, showing Capablanca smiling and wearing a hat. Signed in the image in purple ink, lower center. - A chess prodigy, he is considered by many as one of the greatest players of all time, widely renowned for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play.
Cuban chess player who was world champion from 1921 to 1927 (1888-1942). Autograph letter signed. Havana, Cuba. 4to. 2 pp. On Hotel Packard letterhead. With autograph envelope with his signature.
$ 2,910 / 2.500 €
(92024)
An autographed letter signed by “Raul” to “Ma chere Kikiriki”: „Since I wrote you last, I have been very busy. The political and economic crises in Cuba has grown worth and yesterday I was told there was great of having my post eliminated in a ... of the Foreign Service. I believe, however that the danger has been averted, and in a day or two I shall know, definitely, what to do. On Monday I expected to see the President and shall try to obtain his good wishes so as to have all my affairs settled promptly.
Thus next Tuesday I shall be able to write to you what is to be done ally my other affairs have been completely adjusted. Take good care of yourself and see that the boy goes back to school with all his belongings as soon as school opens. […]“ This letter was most likely written to Olga Evgenyevna Choubaroff, a socialite and self-proclaimed Russian princess who married Capablanca a few months after this letter. Fine..