Author: Jose Raul "J R" Capablanca y Graupera, (1888-1942) inscribed by the author
Year: 1921
Publisher: Harcourt, Brace and Company
Place: New York
Description:
viii]+246 pages with diagrams. Octavo (8 3/4" x 5 1/4") bound in original publisher's black cloth with gilt lettering to spine and blindstamped chess board to cover. Inscribed by the author. (Betts 11-34) First edition.
A knowledge of the elements is assumed. A graded course of introduction with a general first chapter, the subjects of which are re-examined in more detail in succeeding chapters. Contents: (Part 1) Chapter 1 First Principles: deals with simple mates, queen promotion, simple endings, a few brief examples of combination and a brief introduction to opening strategy. Chapter 2 deals with endings in more detail, including the more complicated basic mates (Knight and Bishop, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights) and analysis of positions illustrating basic end game principles (obtaining a passed pawn, which pawn first to queen, opposition, etc). Chapter 3 Planning to Win in middle game play, continues examples of middle game combination and strategy with explanatory text. Chapter 4 General Theory: comprises games and positions illustrating the initiative, attack, relinquishing the initiative, cutting off pieces from the scene of action and gives one game with detailed critical notes. Chapter 5 End game Strategy: deals with analyzed examples of rook endings. Chapter 6 Further openings and middle games: covers paw structures. Part 2: comprises 14 games played by Capablanca with annotations including notes on the openings.
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 is widely renowned for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play.
Capablanca 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.
Condition:
Inscribed and dated on front end paper. Some stains to cover, spine head frayed else about very good lacking jacket.