The brilliant chess player José Raúl Capablanca (1888-1942), is an icon to many Cubans: inspiring generations to learn the game, while Fidel Castro himself promoted it as a tool in educational development. Capablanca was world chess champion 1921-1927 and his style is described as intuitive, simple and beautiful. In Manuel Herrera’s film, “the chess machine” is charismatically played by César Évora.

The drama is set in 1925, during the Machado right-wing dictatorship in Cuba, and soon after the Russian revolution. Capablanca, a patriot and critical of Machado, goes to Moscow to participate in an international tournament but falls in love with a Bolshoi ballerina.

Despite embellishing the truth, this Cuban-Soviet production was a big hit in both countries: part sports pride, part tragic love story. Although the film, recently rediscovered, is made in full colour, the stylish use of black and white elements reflects the chess board.

Saturday 21 March 2026, 2pm at The Garden Cinema central London. Tickets on sale now