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Chad Lieberman

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1888, Jose Raul Capablanca had the chess world in awe by the age of 20, beating US Champion Frank Marshall at the famous Manhattan Chess Club (MCC). While attending Columbia University as an engineering student, Capablanca honed his skills by playing at Washington Square Park and at the MCC.

In 1911, Capablanca played in his first major tournament in San Sebastian, Spain. Among the contenders were the greatest players of the time including Akiba Rubinstein and Aron Nimzowitsch. Capablanca surprised the world by taking first place.

Between 1914 and 1924, Capablanca lost only one game. In 1921, Capablanca challenged Emanuel Lasker for the World Championship. The match was played in Havana Cuba. Although Lasker resigned the match on the grounds of ill health after just fourteen games, it was clear that Capablanca had earned the title.

Capablanca remained World Champion for six years and later became known as the best endgame player to ever grace the game. In 1942, Capablanca suffered a stroke that took his life.

His opponent in this week's featured game, long-time rival Alexander Alekine, in an introduction to a collection of Capablanca's best games wrote "with his death, we have lost a very great chess genius whose like we shall never see again."

White to mate in two moves.
Link to solution at the bottom.