José Raúl Capablanca: Most instructive chess games 1919-1928

Name: José Raúl Capablanca: Most instructive chess games 1919-1928
Rating: 4.2 (6 reviews)

Learn Capablanca's Strategies: Learn Positional Chess, Strategies and Tactical Insights from his 1919-28 Chess Games

Created byTryfon Gavriel

Last updated 4/2024

English

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What you'll learn

The ability to play "simple positional chess" and reduce complexity
The ability to appreciate what Bobby Fischer described as a "Light touch" and find the right move very quickly
The ability to appreciate Boris Spassky's view that Capablanca was the best player of all time
The ability to improve and appreciate endgame play
Ability to appreciate Chess "Fundamentals" (time independent insights) that Capablanca was gifted with at very young age - he never opened a book on Openings :)
Ability to enrich positional judgement and evaluation ability of positions independent of having to do deep technical analysis
Ability to appreciate simple positions more which help reduce complexity and improve clarity
Ability to use aggressive tactical play to drive home positional advantages providing it is safe and efficient to do so
Ability to appreciate Capablanca's influence on future world champions Bobby Fischer and Anatoly Karpov
Ability to pick up many Opening model games with both a White and Black perspective from the rich index the course provides
Ability to appreciate why Capablanca was nicknamed "The Cuban Morphy" after his match with Frank Marshall in 1909
Ability to improve endgame transitions well in advance by accurate middlegame play and understanding of endgames
Ability to see major King safety prophylaxis especially when playing against attacking players like Frank Marshall
Ability to understand more what Bobby Fischer alluded to about Capablanca in terms of middlegame accuracy to get winning endgames in the first place on arrival
Ability to improve locking down counterplay in endgame - freezing pawns and opponent's King with virtual walls
Ability to appreciate Capablanca's influence on future World champions Tigran Petrosian and Anatoly Karpov in terms of positional play and prophylaxis
Ability to win with minimal opening imbalances - so winning in effect with minimal risks in opening taken
Ability to make use of very tiny advantages from minimal imbalance openings to still try and win
Ability to improve opening theory and tiny advantage independence - still being able to win with minimal sharp theory or tiny advantages
Ability to transcend if-then style analysis in favour of knowing endgame wins, exploiting passed pawns and higher goals
Ability to appreciate the amazing tactical abilities of Capablanca as well as his legendary positional and endgame skills
Ability to appreciate Capablanca's use of opening "systems" like the Colle System to get good opening positions and use middlegame and endgame strengths to win
Ability to appreciate the strengths of the three knights and four knight variations which Capablanca nearly one third of time in preference to Ruy Lopez
Ability to simplify with advantage from complex positions using Capablanca's excellent examples
Ability to appreciate Capablanca's alertness in opening phase for nuanced advantage gaining opportunities despite claiming not to have read many chess books
Ability to appreciate Capablanca often playing against two weaknesses or targets to overwhelm opponents in Endgames
Ability to appreciate the humanity of Capablanca - sometimes missing Back rank tactical resources in the middlegame
Ability to appreciate Capablanca's ability to see many of the little 'petit' combinations and tactical shots hidden in complex positions
Ability to appreciate in-depth some key game examples in Capablanca's "Chess Fundamentals" as many games are from this course's date range
Ability to be inspired for major endgame themes such as Aggressive King, Rook on 7th, power of passed pawns and their hooks, Switching attacks, etc
Ability to see Capablanca as brilliant in middlegame and tactics especially x-ray tactics as well as a virtuoso in endgame play
Ability to see key turning points and mistakes of games - not just telling the story of games but trying to get an objective analysis of where things went wrong
Ability to make use of Capablanca's level of pedanticness even in opening moves to extend knowledge of Opening theory and give a modern perspective
Ability to emulate Capablanca more than more complex world champions because of his apparent simplicity, elegance and desire to keep positions relatively simple
Ability to strengthen middlegame evaluations even losing a piece when put in context of powerful endgame transitions where passed pawns are dangerous
Ability to appreciate a positional style which Kasparov indicates that Magnus Carlsen is similar to
Ability to appreciate why Capablanca is thought to be one of the most naturally talented players of all time
Ability to improve endgame strength and middlegame to endgame transitions which is becoming a rarer commodity skill in today's blitz chess and end scrambles
Ability to appreciate that an Encyclopedic opening repertoire is not needed to be a top player - Capablanca showed that he could play quiet but sound openings
Ability to appreciate super instructive chess games where every idea has high visibility, and clarity. The games are not as "muddy" as Tal or Alekhine games
Ability to appreciate clear logically flowing games where the winner did not have to calculate a huge amount of variations
Ability to appreciate Capablanca's "small combinations" which very simply underlined the strategic strengths and positional advantages of his position
Ability to appreciate a quality of a good fighter in the Art of War - efficiency and simplicity of winning - which helps others learn from later :)
Ability to appreciate many instructive endgames - and accuracy needed. The chess equivalent of eating vegetables as good for one's chess nutritional diet :)
Ability to appreciate the nickname earned by Capablanca of "The Human Chess Machine" for sheer accuracy and lack of major mistakes
Ability to appreciate what Bobby Fischer described as a "Light touch" and find the right move very quickly
Ability to appreciate the sheer beauty of silky smooth game accuracy
Ability to witness makings of a legend later in 1936 Moscow coming ahead of future world champion Botvinnik despite apparent bias towards Botvinnik
Ability to play more "principled chess" based on the "fundamentals" (founding principles) that Capablanca expresses in his games and general principled play
Ability to appreciate why some Capablanca games are held in hundreds of game collections and Capa fans play over them hundreds of times enjoying them greatly
Ability to appreciate and remember many aesthetic concepts even if most of the concrete variations are forgotten
Ability to appreciate inconspicuous subtle moves, which are the difference between smooth technical victories and allowing opponent messy counterplay
Ability to study one of the clearest world champions - older classic games is often where the greatest fun and insights come from for many studying chess
Ability to appreciate interest "centers" of many important and lesser well known Capablanca games through the instructive index that shortens Capablanca to C
Ability to appreciate Steinitz "accumulation of small advantage" theory combined with minimisation of complexity which Capablanca adds - like code refactoring
Ability to appreciate why Garry Kasparov considers Capablanca to have one of the purest most crystal-clear logical styles in the entire history of chess
Ability to appreciate why Vladimir Kramnik considers Capablanca a genius and an exception that did not obey any rule
Ability to appreciate why Vladimir Kramnik compares Capablanca with Mozart whos charming music appeared to have a smooth flow
Ability to appreciate why Emanuel Lasker considered Capablanca as a genius - and the only genius revealing itself in the probing of opponent's weak points
Ability to appreciate why Mikhail Botvinnik indicated that you cannot play chess until you have studied Capablanca's games
Ability to appreciate why Max Euwe indicated about being humbled when studying Capablanca's games
Ability to appreciate why Garry Kasparov indicates that Capablanca invariably chooses the right option no matter how intricate the position
Ability to appreciate why Bobby Fischer considered Capablanca as possibly the greatest player in the entire history of chess
Ability to appreciate Magnus Carlsen's comment that Capablanca came out of nowhere and just played very clear, simple, yet brilliant chess -"genius"

Course content

17 sections • 248 lectures • 20h 15m total length

Improving positional Chess and Endgames7:54
Improve your positional chess and endgames by studying Capablanca’s games as a gateway to logical flow, pattern recognition, and gradual advantage accumulation from opening to endgame.
Why are Capablanca games so instructive?7:16
Capablanca's games teach clear positional play with simple plans and metaphors, like a rook on the seventh rank and target-rich pawns, emphasizing solid pawn structures over heavy analysis.
Common ways opponent's tend to lose in Capablanca's era5:43
Capablanca wins by exploiting strong openings and sharp middle games, then converting to endgames; the lecture stresses opportunism, pawn weaknesses, and last-move considerations of his era.
Improving our concrete analysis and its wider context and perspectives9:14
Improve concrete chess analysis by expanding board vision, centralizing pieces, and applying Capablanca’s three golden principles with an attention to downside and endgame perspectives to avoid short-termism.
Endgame emphasis11:21
Capablanca emphasizes endgame play, showing how to simplify from a solid advantage, skip opening and middle game when appropriate, and exploit pawn structures and passed pawns for winning endgames.
Are positional world chess champions tactical monsters?6:25
Explore how world champions like Capablanca and Petrosian blend positional play with timely tactics to reduce risk, accumulate advantages, and simplify to win.
Game selection and Index strategy4:21
Explore a powerful course index that lets you search Capablanca's 1919–1928 games by move sequences and openings, revealing themes like rook on the seventh and aggressive king.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Qxe2+0:05
In 99+ Collections - Russian Game: Cozio (Lasker) Attack (C42)0:02
Building roads for King for the endgame that help undermine pawns - C v Kostic13:53
Capablanca shows an aggressive king endgame against Kostic in 1919, building roads for the king to undermine pawns and press a winning plan.
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Qd2 O-O0:05
In 5+ Cs - Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo. Italian Four Knights Variation (C50)0:03
A single pawn can be enough to win - Instructive Queen ending - Kostic vs C8:42
Capablanca demonstrates how a single pawn can decide a queen ending, turning Kostic vs Capablanca 1919 into a winning king and pawn finale.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc60:05
In 7+ Collections - Russian Game: Classical Attack. Berger Variation (C42)0:02
Taking pawns safely and handling Rook threat with own threats - C v Kostic12:33
Capablanca battles Kostic in a 1919 petroff, navigates rook and knight threats after e4, trades queens, and converts to a winning two-pawn endgame with active king and rooks.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. c3 Qb6 6. Qb3 d5 7. Nbd2 Bd70:05
In 61+ Collections - Torre Attack: Classical Defense (A46)0:02
Backward pawn leads to amazing Zugzwang with King march possible - Kostic vs C23:33
Capablanca transforms a backward pawn into a decisive endgame through a strategic king walk, rook activity, and tight pins, ending with a winning rook ending.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Nxf6 Nxf60:05
In 15+ collections - French Defense: Classical. Burn Variation (C11)0:02
Fed up and passive opening variation leads to quick resignation - C vs Kostic14:50
Capablanca, white in round five, encounters a passive French defense variation against Kostic; fed up with the match and heat, Kostic resigns.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d60:05
In 57+ Collections - Spanish Game: Closed Variations (C84)0:02
Pawns don't go backwards- controversial f5 leaves light squares weak- C vs Yates11:55
Capablanca’s bold g5 push creates light-square weaknesses and a winning tactical sequence, culminating in a strong endgame after an exchange sacrifice.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc60:05
In 10+ Collections - Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation (C48)0:02
Clock is part of the game especially with 1st 20 moves in hour - Marchand vs C7:17
Shows Capablanca's solid opening play in the 1919 Hastings game against Marchand, with careful handling of imbalances. Highlights how a time limit affected the game, illustrating the clock's crucial role.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Re1 exd40:05
In 4+ Collections - Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Hedgehog Variation (C66)0:02
The so called b2 "poisoned pawn" can sometimes be taken safely - Cole vs C12:29
Capablanca refutes the poisoned b2 pawn idea in Cole-Capablanca Hastings 1919, trading wisely on d4 and seizing central pressure on e4, while exploiting the semi-open file and queen tactics.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d4 Be7 6. O-O Bd7 7. Re1 Nxd40:05
In 19+ collections - Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Hedgehog Variation (C66)0:02
When emotion can affect the desire to keep calculating variations - C vs Thomas14:29
Capablanca vs George Allen Thomas in the 1919 Hastings game, highlighting how emotion can affect the desire to keep calculating variations and the importance of sticking with forcing moves.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Bd60:05
In 156+ Collections - Four Knights Game: Nimzowitsch (Paulsen) (C49)0:02
ICONIC GAME: Imprisoning in bishop then action on other areas - Winter vs C16:26
Shows Capablanca imprisoning a bishop with a pawn structure in the Hastings 1919 game. Doubling the pawns locks the bishop and creates a lasting edge echoed in grandmaster games.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O0:05
In 14+ Collections - Semi-Slav Defense: Quiet Variation (D30)0:02
Dark square grip leads to bishop amplification and strong attack - C vs Scott10:54
Capablanca demonstrates a dark square grip and bishop amplification to stabilize the position and unleash a dangerous attack against the isolated queen's pawn.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. Re1 g6 7. d4 Bg70:05
In 17+ Collections -Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Modern Steinitz Defense (C72)0:02
Weakness provocation leads to interesting dynamic pawn break - Michell vs C8:12
Capablanca employs a hyper modern provocation to weaken light squares and provoke irreversible pawn moves, then ends with a sharp c6 tactic and a decisive attack.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 exd40:05
In 17 Collections -Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Modern Steinitz Defense (C72)0:02
Pawn sacrifice leads to passed pawns on both sides of the board - C vs Conde17:43
Capablanca demonstrates a game where he uses a pawn sacrifice to skip the opening and middle game, reaching a winning endgame with passed pawns on both sides.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. g3 Be6 7. Bg2 Nc60:05
In 3 Collections - Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation (D32)0:02
Exploiting IQP by translating into bishop without counterpart - C vs Olland11:26
Capablanca exploits the isolated queen's pawn by translating the advantage into a bishop without a counterpart, creating strong pressure on light squares.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 d5 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. O-O b6 7. Nbd2 Bb70:05
In 9 Collections -Colle System (D05)0:01
Resourceful simplification to a winning rook and pawn endgame - Wahltuch vs C14:42
Capablanca demonstrates resourceful simplification into a winning rook and pawn endgame, using a lever pawn concept, strategic king activity, and precise rook endgame technique.

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Rc1 b60:05
In 139+ Collections- Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense. Main Line (D63)0:02
Dynamic exchange sacrifice calmed down with accurate play - C vs Lasker14:51
Watch a dramatic world championship game with an exchange sacrifice that tests both sides; Capablanca steadies the position with accurate play against Alaska in a Queen's Gambit declined.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c50:05
In 370+ Cs-Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense. Rubinstein Variation (D61)0:02
Isolated Queen Pawn opportunity missed leading to doom and gloom - Lasker vs C14:54
Examine the isolated queen's pawn in the 1921 world championship clash between Lasker and Capablanca, highlighting its attacking potential and the endgame risks.
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.e3 Be7 6.Nc3 0–0 7.Rc1 Re80:05
In 175+ Collections-Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense. Main Line (D63)0:02
Knight outpost advantage translated into King safety issues - C vs Lasker23:51
Capablanca demonstrates a white knight outpost on d6 becoming a king safety leverage in the 1921 world championship round 11, driving a decisive outpost-based attack.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O d6 5.d4 Bd7 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Bxc6 Bxc60:05
In 72+ Cs - Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Closed Showalter Variation (C66)0:02
Provocation strategy - pawns on light squares for dark squares - Lasker vs C15:22
Explore provocation strategy in the Lasker–Capablanca 1921 world championship game, using pawns on light squares for dark squares to provoke weaknesses and seize chances on the e and d files.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 exd4 7. Nxd4 Be70:05
In 18 Collections - Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Closed Wolf Variation (C66)0:02
e5 push leaves 'e' pawn vulnerable to forcing moves which win it - Euwe vs C8:10
Capablanca's Berlin defence shows a solid black position with central pressure and plans for d5. White's e5 push becomes a liability, inviting rook pressure on weak pawns and tactical gains.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 5. e4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qxf6 gxf60:05
In 44+ Collections - Torre Attack: Classical Defense (A46)0:02
Winning pawn early then unblockading pawns in spectacular style - Wahlutch vs C9:17
Capablanca wins a center pawn and builds two connected pass pawns through precise undermining, rook pressure, and strategic pawn breaks that unlock the end of the game.
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.Qc2 c50:05
In 19+ Cs - Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense. Rubinstein Var. (D61)0:02
The desire to regain pawn leads to a decisive mistake -C vs Yates13:42
Capablanca exploits a d5–e4 pawn break to destabilize black, then crafts a tactical sequence that exploits an unprotected rook and strong bishop play, converting pressure into a winning attack.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3 b6 4.Bd3 Bb7 5.O-O Be7 6.b3 O-O 7.Bb2 Ne40:05
In 75+ Collections - Indian Game: Yusupov-Rubinstein System (A46)0:02
Tal like sacrifices ignored leading to an endgame struggle - Morrison vs C21:43
Capablanca showcases tal-like sacrifices and deep tactical play against Morrison, steering the game into a complex endgame with undermining on the g-file, rook and bishop activity, and decisive queen maneuvers.
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Nc3 O-O 7.Rc1 c60:05
In 35+ Collections - Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense. Main Line (D63)0:02
Dark square pressure amplified by giving up light square bishop - C vs Borovsky11:19
Capablanca applies dark square pressure in a sharp London 1922 game against Borowski, sacrificing the light-square bishop to exploit weaknesses and convert a tactical sequence into a decisive white advantage.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d60:05
In 120+ Collections - Spanish Game: Closed. Yates Variation (C91)0:02
Passed pawns in contention but King involvement helps pawns - C vs Bogoljubov15:34
Capablanca vs Bogoljubov (1922 London) shows how active king play and passed pawns shape the game, with a Benoni-like transition and precise pawn breaks leading to white's advantage.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.h3 g7 4.Bf4 O-O 5.Nbd2 d6 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c3 c50:05
In 15+ Collections - Indian Game: Kingside Fianchetto (A48)0:02
London System torture against leading hypermodernist's King's Indian - C vs Reti14:51
Capablanca battles Richard Reti, a leading hypermodernist, with a harmonious London system against the King's Indian setup, illustrating solid play and rising tactical ideas.
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Bd3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 e6 6.Ne2 Qb6 7.O-O Qa60:05
In 15+ Collections - Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation (B12)0:02
Light square pressure leads to winning outside passed pawn - Atkins vs C13:39
Capablanca applies light-square pressure against Atkins, converting weaknesses into an outside passed pawn and a winning endgame through precise rook and king activity.
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.c3 Qb6 6.Qc1 Bf5 7.Nh4 Be40:05
In 15+ Collections - Formation: Queen Pawn Game: London System (D02)0:02
Clues given for how to crush the London system version 1.0- Watson vs C9:42
Capablanca analyzes how the early London system can be dismantled, showing how provoking dark-square weaknesses and precise piece play expose its downsides, with queen and bishop maneuvers and sharp counterplans.
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 O-O 7.Rc1 c60:05
In 18+ Collections -Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense. Main Line (D63)0:02
Opening disaster leaves black nearly paralysed with c8 bishop issue- C vs Vidmar12:13
Capablanca exploits a bad opening by Vidmar to bottle up black's position, dominates the dark squares with queen on c7, eyes the seventh rank, and wins material by doubling rooks.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Be3 Bg7 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nf60:05
In 46+ Collections - Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian. Open (B32)0:02
Misremembering opening theory means not playing the position - C vs Marotti11:30
Capablanca demonstrates why misremembering opening theory harms the game, emphasizing playing the position and addressing exact downsides; he converts a dragon setup into a winning advantage through precise moves.

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. h3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa50:05
In 150+ Collections - Indian Game: Kingside Fianchetto (A48)0:02
Winning pawns on both sides of the board with dancing knights - C vs Yates15:49
Capablanca deploys a london system against Yeats in the 1924 new york tournament, showcasing dynamic knight maneuvers, strategic exchanges, and entrenchment versus undermining to seize the initiative and win.
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. Bd3 Bb70:05
In 647+ Collections - Horwitz Defense: General (A40)0:01
Candidate for most instructive game of chess ever played :) - C vs Tartakower18:32
Explore Capablanca's most instructive endgame against Tartakower, where a fearless king march, a rook on the seventh, and passed pawns culminate in a winning, strategic breakthrough.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 c5 5.b3 Nc6 6.O-O Bd6 7.Bb2 O-O0:05
In 143+ Collections - Rubinstein Opening: Bogoljubow Defense (D05)0:02
Not going into a hanging pawn structure makes position worse - Bogoljubov vs C22:26
Capablanca dismantles Bogoljubov's KO opening by exploiting weak dark squares and backward pawns. He uses bishop exchanges and rooks to intensify pressure, leading to decisive tactical sequences.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O0:05
In 18+ Collections - Spanish Game: Closed Variations. Closed Defense (C96)0:02
Use of d-file in the Ruy Lopez when d3 is played instead of d4 - Maroczy vs C13:04
Capablanca demonstrates d-file pressure in a Ruy Lopez game with d3 instead of d4, showing rook a7 pressure and a precise exchange sacrifice to seize the initiative.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 e6 7. e3 Be70:05
In 137+ Collections - Slav Defense: General (D10)0:01
An intense struggle - Pawns can overwhelm a bishop in the endgame - C vs Lasker14:00
Capablanca faces Lasker in a 1924 New York game, illustrating a dynamic endgame where pawns overwhelm a bishop, with sharp rook and queen pressure on the h-file.
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.O-O e5 5.c4 d4 6.d3 Bd6 7.e3 Nge70:05
In 52+ Collections - King's Indian Attack: Sicilian Variation (A08)0:02
Tal like Benoni in reverse ahead of its time by about 30 years :)- C vs Janowski16:20
Analyze Capablanca's 1924 game versus Janowski, showing a benoni-like structure in reverse with queenside pawn majority and tactical ideas driving e5 and e4 pressure.
1. e4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Bc4 c5 4. O-O Nc6 5. c3 Qb6 6. Re1 d6 7. Bb3 Nf60:05
In 14+ Collections - Modern Defense: King Pawn Fianchetto (B06)0:02
Creating counterplay when pawn down - exchanging blockaders- Edward Lasker vs C18:17
Capablanca creates counterplay after a pawn down by exchanging blockaders and activating pieces in a tense endgame. The lecture highlights the modern defense with g6 and king activity.
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Be2 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. c4 c6 6. d4 Bb4+ 7. Kf1 cxd50:05
In 18+ Collections - King's Gambit: Accepted. Tartakower Gambit (C33)0:02
Introducing unexpected in-betweens - Immortal Zwischenzug game - Tartakower vs C17:03
Explore Capablanca's use of an unexpected between-move (zwischenzug) in the Tartakower vs. Capablanca game, illustrating how insertions alter the sequence and secure a winning attack.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Qd2 O-O0:05
In 57+ Collections - French Defense: Classical. Rubinstein Variation (C14)0:02
Endgame intricacies navigated for King to be in bad position - C vs Reti13:55
Capablanca navigates endgame intricacies, highlighting king activity and rook and pawn endings that drive dynamic equality in his 1919–1928 games.
1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bxf6 gxf6 7.Qd2 Qa50:05
In 17+ Collections - French Defense: McCutcheon. Exchange Variation (C12)0:02
Pawns don't go backwards - opportunity to undouble not used - C vs Bogoljubov11:39
Capablanca pressures from the French defense, targets doubled pawns, and exploits the 'pawns don't go backwards' idea to convert a dynamic middlegame into a winning endgame.

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. dxc3 d5 5. Nf3 c5 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. Qd2 Bg40:05
In 49+ Collections - Alekhine Defense: Saemisch Attack (B02)0:02
Castling queenside allows c4 and b4 break plan for dangerous attack - Yates vs C11:14
Unleash Capablanca’s Alekhine defense with castling queenside, then execute a dangerous c4 and b4 break to pressure Yates in the 1925 Moscow game.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be70:05
In 12+ Collections - Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen. Modern Variation (B83)0:02
Isolated Queens pawn provides great piece activity and tactics- Bohatirchuk vs C13:44
Capablanca demonstrates how the isolated queen's pawn provides great piece activity and tactics in the Sicilian, as Bohatirchuk vs Capablanca showcases dynamic play.
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Bd3 O-O 5.O-O d6 6.e4 Nbd7 7.h3 c50:05
In 20+ Collections - Indian Game: Kingside Fianchetto (A48)0:02
Alpha-zero style deep pawn sacrifices tie opponent pieces down- Chotimirsky vs C15:02
Capablanca enters a King's Indian setup and launches bold pawn sacrifices to seize dynamic play, unleashing a sharp attack with rooks and pins.
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 c5 5.Bg2 Nc6 6.O-O Be7 7.d3 O-O0:05
In 57+ Collections - English Opening: Agincourt Defense. Tarrasch Defense (A14)0:02
Double fianchetto system causes opponent to self-destruct - C vs Marshall10:39
Capablanca employs a double fianchetto against Marshall in the 1925 Moscow game, unleashing a powerful hyper-modern attack that collapses Marshall's position.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 c6 6. Nbd2 Qa5 7. cxd5 exd50:05
In 12+ Collections - Queen's Gambit Declined: Capablanca Variation (D30)0:02
Fine technique winning the exchange up by gradual improvements - C vs Tartakower10:58
Capablanca demonstrates fine technique by gradually improving positions to win the exchange and pawn, using knight e5, f5 ideas, and precise rook and queen maneuvers against Tartakower.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e4 c5 5. d5 exd5 6. exd5 Nf6 7. Bxc4 Bd60:05
In 53+ Collections - Queen's Gambit Accepted: Rosenthal Variation (D21)0:02
e6 weakness - precisely calculated continuation to win Queen- C vs Zubarev16:42
Capablanca exploits the e6 weakness with a precisely calculated continuation against Zverev, turning sharp tactics around the e6 square to win material and seize a winning attack.
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 a6 7. O-O dxc40:05
In 15+ Collections - Semi-Slav Defense: Main Lines (D46)0:02
Dark squares lead to accumulating big advantage from opening - Saemich vs C11:08
Capablanca demonstrates a modern slav-style opening, building a dominating grip on the dark squares through a6 and c5, exploiting bishop weaknesses for a winning endgame with two connected passed pawns.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e4 c5 5. Bxc4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bc50:05
In 95+ Collections - Queen's Gambit Accepted: Rosenthal Variation (D21)0:02
An immensely complex game makes case of beauty of simplicity - C v Bogoljubov24:48
Explore an immensely complex game between Capablanca and Bogoljubov from the 1925 Moscow tournament, highlighting sharp tactics, critical mistakes, and the case for simplifying chess.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Nc3 Ne40:05
In 16+ Cs - Queen's Indian Defense: Fianchetto. Saemisch Variation (E15)0:02
Emphasising King safety weakness in absence of fianchetto bishop - Gotthilf vs C12:54
Explore how king safety falters without a fianchetto bishop in a Queen's Indian setting, as a sharp d5 test leads to black pressure and a decisive, rapid win.

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Qa5 7. cxd5 exd50:05
In 24+ Collections - Queen's Gambit Declined: Cambridge Springs Variation (D52)0:02
Castling queenside has a big responsibility of surface area - C vs Ed Lasker17:03
In the 1926 Capablanca–Edward Lasker game, castling queenside creates a surface area for attack in the Cambridge Springs, and Capablanca exploits back-rank weaknesses and doubled pawns to seize the initiative.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O Ne4 6. Nbd2 f5 7. c3 Be70:05
In 86+ Collections - Indian Game: Yusupov-Rubinstein System (A46)0:02
Put yourself beyond defeat ordered by most dangerous pawn breaks - Kupchik vs C12:43
Capablanca uses prophylaxis to block g4 and e4 advances. He then executes a queenside undermining plan with a4 and rook moves, winning material.
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Na50:05
In 56+ Collections - Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange. Rubinstein Variation (B13)0:02
g-file pressure gives opportunity for tactical combination - Maroczy vs C11:06
Capablanca exploits g-file pressure to craft a sharp tactical combination in a Morency game, while illustrating the Kohl's plan structure and evolving endgame themes.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 c5 4. c4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 6. Bg2 e5 7. Nf3 e40:05
In 18+ Collections - Indian Game: Knights Variation. General (A46)0:02
Wild opening with disrupting pawn sac leads to difficulties- Edward Lasker vs C15:50
Study Capablanca's response to a disruptive pawn sacrifice in the 1926 Honkytonk tournament game against Edward Lasker, highlighting center pressure, tactical motifs, and decisive rook and queen activity.

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. e3 Be7 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. dxc5 Na60:05
In 134+ Collections - Indian Game: Anti-Nimzo-Indian (E10)0:01
Power of rooks on the 7th rank for juicy targets - Nimzowitsch vs C18:05
Explore how rooks on the seventh create juicy targets through rank effects in Nimzowitsch vs Capablanca, highlighted by the elegant e5 pawn sac and dynamic rook play.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ 5. Nbxd2 d5 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 Nbd70:05
In 16+ Collections - Bogo-Indian Defense: Exchange Variation (E11)0:02
Knowing when counterplay can be neutralised - and when it cannot - C vs Marshall16:14
Capablanca neutralizes Marshall's counterplay with simple yet deeply tactical play in a 1927 game, showcasing central influence via a Bogo Indian / Catalan style and precise piece coordination.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. Nh4 g60:05
In 110+ Cs - Queen's Indian Defense: Fianchetto. Rubinstein Variation (E16)0:02
Over-the-top attack has committal pawn moves and weaknesses - Alekhine vs C13:57
Explore the 1927 New York game between Alekhine and Capablanca, revealing a modern Benoni structure, risky f4, and the prelude to their world championship matchup.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Qc2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. e3 d50:05
In 14+ Collections - Torre Attack: Classical Defense (A46)0:02
Unfortunate loss of piece in the opening - great tactics follow - Marshall vs C12:19
Capablanca defeats Marshall in the 1927 New York game by turning an opening piece loss into decisive tactics, culminating in a sequence including rook and queen maneuvers that win material.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d60:05
In 108+ Collections - Spanish Game: Closed Variations. Chigorin Defense (C98)0:02
Endgame targets are lots of fun for dark squared bishop - C vs Vidmar11:16
Capablanca faces Vidmar in the 1927 New York tournament, highlighting endgame targets on dark squares and how careful simplification with bishop play converts activity into a winning endgame.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nd7 4. Nc3 Ngf6 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qa4 Bxc3+0:05
In 220+ Collections - Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation (D37)0:02
Stunning beautiful "Winning simplifying combination" - C vs Spielmann11:25
Capablanca’s 1927 New York game against Spielmann reveals a stunning winning simplifying combination, undermining a pawn chain to create an outside pass pawn with bishop and rook support.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. f4 e6 7. Nf3 Bd60:05
In 347+ Collections - Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation (B12)0:02
ICONIC positional masterpiece of light squares creating zugzwang- Nimzovich vs C15:02
Delve into Capablanca's game against Nimzowitsch from the 1927 New York tournament, illustrating light-square pressure, a bishop exchange, and the rise of zugzwang in a masterful positional struggle.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. f4 e6 7. Nf3 Bd60:05
In 15+ Collections -Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation. Maroczy Attack (B18)0:02
f4 move early on seems gives White a difficult game into endgame - Marshall vs C14:45
Capablanca pressures Marshall with the early f4 idea in the 1927 New York game, then crafts winning simplifications and endgames through precise pawn structure and tactical trades.

Requirements

Know how the chess pieces move

Description

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban chess player who was the world chess champion from 1921 to 1927.

His games are among the clearest of the World champions to understand the fundamentals of positional play and endgame mastery.

This course checks out his most important games from early in his career between 1919-1928 and so covers his period of games leading up to becoming World chess champion and beyond.

We further examine the "Human chess machine" reputation following our first installment for the years 1919-1924. Capablanca lost to Chajes in 1916 and only later to Reti in 1924. This period of being unbeaten in "serious" games i.e. not Simul or Exhibition games, led to Capablanca being nicknamed the "Human Chess Machine"

Between 1916 and the Reti loss, Capablanca played in three tournaments. This was a total run of 44 games before Reti defeated him. He also played two matches against Kostich and Lasker where he played 19 games without a loss. This lifts the unbeaten run to 63 games. Factor in the exhaustion of playing many simuls, and this becomes even more impressive.

The course provides an objective analysis of the games without too much bias for the winner. The concept here is that with the "truth" of games we can use such games to really improve our play to the maximum. We can also pick up opening theory, middlegame tactics and strategy, and of course endgame strengths through the inspiration of the key Capablanca games chosen in this course. The course bypasses the hundreds of Simul games Capablanca played - perhaps they can be in another course in the future. Instead, the course focuses on the most important tournament and match games of the time period the course has scope for.

In the process of creating the course, Kingscrusher himself has experienced more powerful confidence for endgame transitioning and "small combinations" - and believes any attentive student will too - and finds many inspirational concepts and philosophies to enrich your chess through game example after example.

Who this course is for:

Beginner to intermediate players who want to improve their chess in all phases of the game

José Raúl Capablanca: Most instructive chess games 1919-1928

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction7 lectures • 52min

The "Human Chess Machine" yeats - 1916-19241 lecture • 1min

Age 29 - Match with Borislav Kostic - 191915 lectures • 1hr 14min

Age 29 - Hastings Tournament 191930 lectures • 2hr 7min

Age 31 - 1921 Capablanca vs Lasker World Chess Championship match12 lectures • 1hr 9min

Age 32 - 1922 London Tournament33 lectures • 2hr 23min

Age 34 - 1924 New York Tournament30 lectures • 2hr 42min

Age 35 - Moscow 192527 lectures • 2hr 8min

Age 36 - Lake Hopatcong Tournament 192612 lectures • 57min

Age 37 - New York Tournament 192724 lectures • 1hr 54min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: