Capablancablanca's worst simultaneous exhibition?

by: Hannu Lehto.

It is well known that Jose Raul Capablanca was an exceptionally talented simultaneous player. Normally his results were 90-95 % and even better. However, there is a little-known episode to prove that this was not always the case.

When young Capablanca was preparing for the great and important tourney in St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1914, he arrived early and had some time to spare. This made it possible for him to visit Finland and give a couple simultaneous displays after the invitation by the budding Helsinki Chess Club. At that time Finland was regarded as unknown wasteland in the World's Chess Map (It might still be for all I know…). However, Capablanca was one of the firsts, if not the first, world-class chess celebrity to visit Finland. Everyone was excited.

The first simul, on 19^th Feb.1914, displayed all the way as Capablanca's usual domination with the result of 25 wins, 5 draws, no losses. The audience applauded loudly and threw Capablanca in the air after the simul.

Next day a new simul was arranged at the Club Academica, where the young promising players from the university took place. The result was this time 22 wins, 1 draw - and 7 losses (!), which must be one of the worst results in Capablanca's career. To cap it off, below you will find one of the Capablanca's losses :

J.-R. Capablanca - Urho Kalske, Finland, simultaneous exhibition, 20.02.1914

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Nxe4 6 d4 b5 7 Bb3 d5 8 dxe5 Be6 9 c3 Bc5 10 Nbd2 0-0 11 Bc2 f5 12 exf6 Nxf6 13 Nb3 Bb6 14 Bg5 Qd7 15 Qd3 Ne4 16 Rad1?? (D)

Sometimes even the God snores loudly!

17...Rxf3! 17 gxf3?!

Perhaps, White should have tried 17 Qxe4 dxe4 18 Rxd7, as then 18...Rf5? 19 Rd2! Rxg5 20 Bxe4 is good for him. However, Black would probably have spotted 18...Rxf2!, which wins the game.

17...Nxg5 18 f4 Ne4 19 Nd2 Nf6-+ 20 f5 Bf7 21 Nf3 Bh5 22 Rfe1 Qd6 23 Rd2 Qf4 24 Bd1 Rd8 25 Re6 Bxf3 26 Qxf3 Qxd2 27 Rxc6 Ne4 28 Rxb6 cxb6 29 Bb3 Ng5 30 Kg2 Re8 0-1

The winner, a promising young player, was later tragically lost during the first World War.