Play Chess Against José Capablanca

José Capablanca (1888-1942), the third world champion, unbeaten for eight straight years, sits across the board. Set the strength, clock, color and starting position, then press Start game.

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Portrait of José Raúl Capablanca — José Raúl Capablanca, 1888-1942.

Black · José Capablanca10:00

Choose the settings, then press Start game.

White · You10:00

José Capablancahistorical player

Preparing the board.

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José Capablanca stays selected. Choose the playing strength, clock, color and starting position.

OpponentJosé CapablancaStrength1500Clock10+5You playWhite

Opponent

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José Capablanca1888-1942

Playing strength

Legend playing strength100-point steps

1500

1500Capablanca, 1500 Elo target2600

Time control

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All chess legends

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About José Capablanca

José Capablanca (1888-1942) was the third world champion and, for many, the most naturally gifted player who ever lived. He learned the moves at four, took the title from Emanuel Lasker in Havana in 1921 without losing a game, and between 1916 and 1924 did not lose a single serious game at all. His style looked effortless: simple moves, perfect endgames, positions that seemed to win themselves. He lost the crown to Alexander Alekhine in 1927 and never got the rematch he sought, but his games remain the first model of clarity shown to improving players.

World champion 1921-1927Took the title from Lasker in Havana without losing a single game

Eight years unbeatenDid not lose a serious game between 1916 and 1924, 63 games in all

Beat Marshall 8-1Won eight games and conceded one against the US champion in 1909, aged twenty

New York 1927 winnerFinished clear first ahead of Alekhine months before losing their title match

1888
Born in Havana
José Raúl Capablanca was born on 19 November 1888 in Havana. He learned the moves at four by watching his father play.
1901
Cuban champion at twelve
Defeated Cuban champion Juan Corzo in a match at the age of twelve.
1909
Beats Marshall
Won a match against US champion Frank Marshall by eight games to one, a result that stunned American chess.
1911
San Sebastian debut
Won San Sebastian in his first major European tournament, ahead of Rubinstein and most of the continent's best.
1921
World champion
Took the world title from Emanuel Lasker in Havana, winning four games and drawing ten without a single loss.
1924
The streak ends
At New York he lost to Richard Réti, his first defeat in eight years and 63 games. He finished second behind Lasker.
1927
New York, then Buenos Aires
Won New York 1927 ahead of Alekhine, then lost the title to him in Buenos Aires months later, six games to three.
1936
Indian summer
Won Moscow 1936 and shared first with Botvinnik at Nottingham, his last great tournament results.
1942
Death in New York
Died on 8 March 1942 after collapsing at the Manhattan Chess Club. His lucid games are still the first model of technique shown to students.