The Chess House of Santiago de Cuba

Jose Raul Capablanca Chess House, nestled in Santiago de Cuba’s central Cespedes Park, is always crowded by enthusiasts of the “science sport”, and it stands out as a colonial building from late 18th century.  

“Draw, player”, that’s what brilliant Capablanca told one of the people that participated in the 30-table simultaneous match carried out at this easternmost city in 1938.

Antonio Gonzalez Trujillo, known as one of the fathers of chess in Santiago de Cuba, recalls that day when young Carlos Santos, happy to play with Capablanca, answered: “No, master, let’s just give this match more time, the privilege of your presence merits it.”

Nowadays, this is one of the institutions that keep the tradition of the science game alive in the Hero City. The Chess House was named after the highest representative of the “science sport” in Cuba.

“This house, located right in the core of the foundational area of the village that is going to be half a century old, was the main office of the Galician Center Society before the revolutionary triumph,” Gonzalez Trujillo said, who was the director of the institution and professor for many years.

“The school has been based in different places, such as the premise located between Calvario and Carniceria streets. It subsequently occupied the upper floor of El Gallito cafeteria, at central Enramadas Street, until it was finally established between Santo Tomas and Heredia streets,” he explained.

The amazing and fascinating characteristics of the premise are not only related to the design of white and black mosaics like a chess board or the tower-shaped flowerpots at the hall, but to the treasure stored in the right wing of the property: the museum of sport history.

The hall gathers testimonies of such figures as Enrique Figuerola, the first Olympic medalist of the province, Alberto Juantorena, Norge Luis Vera, Mercedes Calderon, among other Sport Glories. The podium is also occupied by handicapped athletes with outstanding results in Paralympic Games, just like Yunidis Castillo (athletics) and Sergio Arturo (judo).

It also stands out as the best place to pay tribute to the six grand master chess players of the territory: Maritza Arriba Robaina, Zirka Frometa Castillo, Eldis Cobo Artiaga, Carlos Larduet Despaigne, Oleini Linares Napoles and Lelys Martinez Duany.

“In an effort to show its entire splendor and salute the 500th anniversary of the foundation of Santiago de Cuba village, on July 25, the institution is being restored so it can be enjoyed by future generations,” director Jose Reyes said.

The breeze of a restored city and the friendly atmosphere of a chess match, attract the people that walk around Cespedes Park and try their skills at the house of chess boards.