Born November 19, 1888, in Havana, Cuba, José Raúl Capablanca was a child prodigy who gained international recognition after decisively defeating Frank Marshall in 1909. Known for his flawless technique, intuitive play, and exceptional endgame mastery, Capablanca had been considered Lasker’s strongest challenger for years. His remarkable tournament performances, including a first-place finish at the 1914 St. Petersburg tournament—where he was recognized as the 3rd Official Chess World Champion—solidified his position as the leading contender entering the World Chess Championship 1921.
Emanuel Lasker, born December 24, 1868, in Germany, was the longest-reigning World Chess Champion, holding the title for 27 years (1894–1921). A mathematician and philosopher, Lasker’s pragmatic and resourceful style made him a formidable opponent. Despite defending his title multiple times, challenges surrounding negotiations and World War I delayed his match with José Raúl Capablanca. By 1920, Lasker had initially offered to forfeit the title to Capablanca but later agreed to compete under formal match conditions. After losing the title, Lasker continued to play high-level chess, achieving notable tournament results, including victory in New York 1924.
Here’s a concise list of Emanuel Lasker’s World Chess Championship matches:
The World Chess Championship 1921 took place in Havana, Cuba, featuring a first-to-six-wins format, with draws not counting. However, due to exhaustion and overwhelming positional struggles, Lasker resigned the match after 14 games, acknowledging Capablanca’s superior play. The final score was 9–5 (4 wins, 10 draws, 0 losses) in favor of Capablanca. The match highlighted Capablanca’s ability to simplify complex positions and capitalize on Lasker’s fatigue.
Earlier Encounters
Prior to the 1921 Championship, Capablanca and Lasker faced each other in various tournaments:
Emanuel Lasker on Capablanca’s play:
“I have known many chess players, but only one chess genius—Capablanca.”
José Raúl Capablanca on Lasker:
“Lasker’s tenacity and resourcefulness in defense made him the greatest champion. It was an honor to challenge him.”
The 1921 Championship marked the transition from Lasker’s era of psychological and fighting chess to Capablanca’s clear, scientific approach. His positional dominance influenced future generations of chess masters, including Botvinnik and Fischer. The match also strengthened Cuba’s role in chess history, as Havana became a prominent chess hub.
Emanuel Lasker – José Raúl Capablanca: 5 – 9 (included 10 draws)
José Raúl Capablanca
Sources for Quotes
Sources
All sources, image credits, and content attributions are available on the main World Chess Champions page.