José Raúl Capablanca: Most instructive chess games 1901-1918

Discover the strategic and tactical genius of José Raúl Capablanca, a renowned Cuban chess player and the World Champion from 1921 to 1927. His approach to the game, particularly his mastery over positional play and endgames, is often regarded as the most instructive among all World Champions. This course dives deep into Capablanca's career between 1901 and 1918, offering a thorough analysis of his key games.

Known for his simple openings that highlight his strengths in middlegame and endgame, Capablanca's playstyle offers a wealth of knowledge for every chess enthusiast. Witness his rise to fame, starting with a stunning victory against Frank Marshall, one of the strongest players in the United States at that time. Observe how Capablanca took the world by surprise, earning eight wins, one loss, and 18 draws in a match with Marshall.

Follow his journey to the international San Sebastián tournament in 1918, where despite initial protests over his entry, he emerged victorious, proving his critics wrong with dazzling displays of skill and strategy. In this course, we strive to provide an unbiased analysis of Capablanca's games, aiming to bring out the 'truth' of the games to help you improve your own play to the maximum. This course will enrich your understanding of opening theory, middlegame tactics and strategy, and the art of playing the endgame.

While the course intentionally bypasses Capablanca's hundreds of Simul games to focus on his most important tournament and match games of this period, the lessons learned here will undoubtedly enhance your confidence and skills in chess. Indeed, by studying the games of Capablanca, you will uncover inspirational concepts and philosophies that can elevate your game to new heights.