Author: José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera (1888-1942) signed
Year: 1938
Publisher: Self Written
Place: Havana
Description:
One page Autograph Letter Signed. (8 1/2 x 5 1/2") written on both sides with mailing envelop signed by him dated May 6, 1938 to his future wife Olga Choubaroff in French.
José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera was a Cuban chess player who was the third world chess champion from 1921 to 1927. A chess prodigy, he was widely renowned for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play. He beat Cuban champion Juan Corzo in a match on 17 November 1901, two days before his 13th birthday. His victory over Frank Marshall in a 1909 match earned him an invitation to the 1911 San Sebastián tournament, which he won ahead of players such as Akiba Rubinstein, Aron Nimzowitsch and Siegbert Tarrasch. Over the next several years, Capablanca had a strong series of tournament results. After several unsuccessful attempts to arrange a match with then world champion Emanuel Lasker, Capablanca finally won the world chess champion title from Lasker in 1921. Capablanca was undefeated from February 10, 1916, to March 21, 1924, a period that included the world championship match with Lasker.
Capablanca lost the title in 1927 to Alexander Alekhine, who had never beaten Capablanca before the match. Following unsuccessful attempts to arrange a rematch over many years, relations between them became bitter. Capablanca continued his excellent tournament results in this period but withdrew from serious chess in 1931. He made a comeback in 1934, with good results, but also showed symptoms of high blood pressure.
Olga Evgenyevna Choubaroff first husband was a White Army officer with the surname Chagodaev. They escaped together from the Red Army in 1920. He was, according to Olga, a descendant of Genghis Khan, and prince, who left her his title. Her second husband was world chess champion Jose Raul Capablanca, whom she married on October 20, 1938, and stayed married until his death in 1942. At their wedding her name was listed as "Princess Cagodalf" from the "Russian house of Chagodalf". She was a muse to Capablanca during his later years. Before their marriage, he told her "I shall regain my crown for you." During their life together, she became his biographer, writing articles on him for "Chessworld", "Town and Country", "José Raoul Capablanca Ein Schachmythos", and the introduction to Capablanca's "Chess Lectures". After his death she donated his archives to the Manhattan Chess Club.
Condition: Light edge wear. Envelop torn open at one end else very good.