Why Is Chess So Popular in Cuba?

Chess has long been one of Cuba's most beloved games, and much of that popularity can be traced back to José Raúl Capablanca.

Known as one of the greatest chess players in history, Capablanca became World Chess Champion in 1921 and was famous for his seemingly effortless style of play. His success inspired generations of Cubans, and chess became deeply rooted in the country's culture, eventually being taught in every school and played in parks and public spaces across the island. I remember I hated the game as a kid. Teachers wouldn't let you play and simply fall in love with it, instead, they wanted you to memorize the files and the columms' nomenclature on a NOTEBOOK. School being as lame as it has always been, I guess.

Of course, communism has found the way to extinguish the last sparks of pasion and interest for almost everything in the island, chess inlcuded, and now fewer and fewer people can be seen playing like they used to.