MARK RUBERY CHESS

Jose Raul Capablanca (1888-1942), possessed one of the purest chess talents the game has ever known. Her reigned as World Champion from 192127, having defeated Lasker before being dethroned by Alekhine. His name was recognised by millions who had little or no knowledge of chess, a distinction shared only by Fischer.

Known as the ‘chess machine’ in an era before computers, his elegant yet simple play, combined with unfaltering technique brought forth many accolades from his peers.

“The world will never see the like of such a genius again”-Alekhine

“Of all the players I have ever met, Capablanca impressed me the most” Botvinnik

“I honestly feel very humble when I study Capablanca’s games”-Euwe

Here is one of his greatest endgame performances.

Capablanca, J - Tartakower, S [A85] New York New York, 1924

1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5 3.c4 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.e3 b6 7.Bd3 Bb7 8.0-0 Qe8 9.Qe2 Ne4 10.Bxe7 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qxe7 12.a4 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nc6 14.Rfb1 Rae8 15.Qh3 Rf6 16.f4 Na5 17.Qf3 d6 18.Re1 Qd7 19.e4 fxe4 20.Qxe4 g6 21.g3 Kf8 22.Kg2 Rf7 23.h4 d5 24.cxd5 exd5 25.Qxe8+ Qxe8 26.Rxe8+ Kxe8 27.h5! (To activate his rook)... Rf6 28.hxg6 hxg6 29.Rh1 Kf8 30.Rh7! (The ideal location for the rook) ... Rc6 31.g4 Nc4 32.g5 Ne3+ 33.Kf3 Nf5 34.Bxf5 gxf5 (Around here Tartakower must have been reasonably sanguine about his chances against his redoubtable opponent. However…)

35.Kg3! (Beginning a decisive march to support the g pawn and create mating threats. Such moves make an indelible impression on those trying to fathom the secrets of rook endings…) ... Rxc3+ 36.Kh4 Rf3 37.g6 Rxf4+ 38.Kg5 Re4 39.Kf6 Kg8 40.Rg7+ Kh8 41.Rxc7 Re8 42.Kxf5 Re4 43.Kf6 Rf4+ 44.Ke5 Rg4 45.g7+ Kg8 46.Rxa7 Rg1 47.Kxd5 Rc1 48.Kd6 Rc2 49.d5 Rc1 50.Rc7 Ra1 51.Kc6 Rxa4 52.d6 1-0

Endings of one rook and pawns are about the most common sort of endings arising on the chessboard. Yet though they do occur so often, few have mastered them thoroughly. They are often of a very difficult nature, and sometimes while apparently very simple they are in reality extremely intricate. - Jose Capablanca