Image: chessgames
J R Capablanca was a world chess champion in the 1920’s. He wrote this letter to his son, age 10 by the time. This letter is a very inspirational one, as his advice is so true to many of us. I wonder how many parents – in today’s life – do give such advice to their children? For more about Chess history….follow this link.
From Wikipedia:
José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera (19 November 1888 – 8 March 1942) was a Cuban chess player who was world chess champion from 1921 to 1927. One of the greatest players of all time, he was renowned for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play. Due to his achievements in the chess world, mastery over the board and his relatively simple style of play he was nicknamed the “Human Chess Machine”.
The envelope was marked as follows:
‘For my son José Raúl
When he reaches ten years old and afterwards for therest of his life –
J.R. Capablanca.’
My dearest son,
You must keep this letter to read it again when you are 21 because things that you do not know and understand now you will know and understand then. First of all, you must always respect and love your mother above all else. Try never to tell her lies; always tell her the truth. Your father, writing these lines, has a reputation throughout the whole world for being a very honest man – very truthful and honourable. Try to imitate me in all this. Be studious and strong so that you can defend your mother and your sister with your head as well as with your hands. Whatever wishes you may have to study a particular thing, remember that in any case you must become a lawyer before anything else, so that you can defend your own interests and those of your family.
After you have become a lawyer you can, if you prefer something else, concentrate on whatever you like. Don’t forget that the best period of a man’s life is when he is a student. As a boy this will not seem so to you, but when you have gone through that stage and reached the age of 40 you will see the truth of what I am telling you. On the physical side, there are two things you must know how to do well – swim and box, so that you can defend yourself at sea as well as on land. This does not mean that you should often fight, but that you must be prepared to do so if necessary.Try to be a man of wide culture. There is nothing in the world as entertaining as books. It is also necessary to be useful to humanity. If you can avoid it, never play cards, smoke or drink alcohol of any kind. These are bad habits which greatly shorten life and weaken men physically as well as intellectually and morally.
Be an honest and good man.
Your father embraces you with all his love.
J.R. Capablanca.’
Chessalee 
Baie mooi brief,
Capablanca is een van my favourites van alle tye. Skaak spelers kan besonder baie leer deur van sy spelle deur te gaan. Mense sê skaak was vir hom soos ‘n moedertaal, hy het altyd die regte skuif gesien sonder om lank te analiseer en vooruit te beplan….
hi Connie, Is dit nie mooi nie? Ek het nog nie regtig baie tyd aan sy spelle gespandeer nie. Hy het op 4 begin skaak speel!
the letter is actually quite funny nikita.
hi Norrbu!
In what way is the letter ‘funny’…interesting remark, I would like to know.
In his day, “Capa” was the best-known chessplayer in the world, so much so that even non-chessplayers knew who he was (much like Bobby Fischer in the 1970s). He was also considered to be rather handsome, as chessplayers go, which added to his popularity.
hi Dan! Welcome back! Handsome I agree, as he had a ‘mistress’ – didn’t he?