José Raúl Capablanca

Born in Havana on November 19, 1888, he was a child prodigy who rose quickly to international fame. He became World Chess Champion in 1921 and held the title until 1927, earning a lasting reputation as one of the greatest natural talents the game has ever seen.

He was especially admired for the smooth, simple-looking power of his play. Readers and players have long been drawn to his endgames, positional judgment, and ability to make difficult chess seem almost easy.

Beyond tournament success, his writing helped shape how generations of players learned the game. Even today, his name stands for clean technique, practical strength, and a style that remains remarkably modern.