The stories, games, and intrigues of Capablanca & Alekhine
Many things in life happen by coincidence, but writing a book does not seem to be one of them. Even so, I never planned to write my book about Capablanca and Alekhine, although after several years of working on it, I am very glad that I did.
My first idea was to write an article about the rivalry and enmity between Capablanca and Alekhine. I intended to outline some of the key points on the subject that I knew at the time. I began to write, and the text kept growing and growing until I realized it was already too long for an article. I was so enthusiastic about the story, and I kept discovering so many details while researching newspaper archives and many books about them, that I thought the text could become a chapter for a book about great rivalries in the history of chess.
That was when the idea of a book appeared, but it grew so much, especially once I decided to include annotated games, that it could only become the book I now present here. I have decided to gather in this blog post the most important reviews in articles, videos, or social media that have appeared about The stories, games, and intrigues of Capablanca & Alekhine. It is very likely that I will keep updating it if new reviews appear.
REVIEWS
Carsten Hansen’s review in American Chess Magazine
Everything about this book screams top-notch quality: the cover, the paper, the photo reproductions, and the depth of research that went into it.
Jennifer Shahade's review in Games and The Grid
From history to brilliant moves to chess politics, Fernández Siles does a fabulous job with this book, as he has a true gift for transitions and for understanding what the reader will find interesting, and what can be left out. He kept me gripped by going into just the right amount of detail.
Mark Capron review in The Chess Journalist
The Stories, Games, and Intrigues of Capablanca and Alekhine is a compelling and attractive work that successfully bridges the gap between chess biography, historical narrative, and game collection that makes it both informative and enjoyable. It is an excellent contribution to the mass of literature devoted to Alekhine and Capablanca. With its combination of storytelling, annotated play, and personal detail, the book deserves a place in the collection of every chess player. The book is highly recommended.
Carl Portman's blog Chess Book Review
Some of the books in my own collection are indispensable. Many are the classics such as My System, Lasker’s Manual of Chess. And My 60 Memorable Games. Well, The stories, games and intrigues of Capablanca & Alekhine can be added to that esteemed company. It is not only an instructive reference book, but an excellent work of chess history.
I enjoyed Capablanca & Alekhine a lot. It’s a good game collection and an even better biography and historical overview of two greatest players of the early 20th century. It should be on the shelves of every chess enthusiast and anyone interested in the history of chess.
Nick Visel's blog Nick Plays Ches
The Stories, Games, and Intrigues of Capablanca and Alekhine is a highly educational read, and delivers on basically everything that its title promises. It slots very nicely into the leisure-reading chess history category with a healthy helping of master-level games to play through, and there are copious diagrams so that you can follow along without a board
Antonio Gude's blog (in Spanish)
Throughout the book, the author delves into the psychology and personal circumstances of the protagonists, and not only cites various versions of some adventures, but also speculates, and does so with very good judgment, on various controversial or unresolved issues for historians.
UPDATE: 2025 Chess.com Book of The Year Third Place!
VIDEO REVIEWS
PODCAST
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
This book on Capablanca & Alekhine by @capakhine is a strong contender for one of the best chess books of 2025. Originally written in Spanish, its English edition has just been released. A self-published work full of love and craftsmanship, it truly deserves more attention. pic.twitter.com/sZph31j0IU
— David Llada ♞ (@davidllada) October 28, 2025
How chess book publishers learn Spanish. With @capakhine pic.twitter.com/MYyF8PsghM
— Elk and Ruby Publishing House 🎗️ (@ilan_ruby) June 4, 2025
El libro de mi amigo enigmático @capakhine es de lo mejor que he leído en mucho tiempo, mezclando partidas comentadas al detalle con historias realmente enigmáticas e interesantes. Enhorabuena por este gran trabajo Luison! 👏♟️ pic.twitter.com/Xap9NylRNs
— Rey Enigma (@rey_enigma) May 25, 2025
I guess someone with the username @capakhine had to come up with this book at some point. 😉 Gracias Luis for sending this; I heard good things so I’m looking forward to reading it! pic.twitter.com/6wRHCVCx5H
— Peter Doggers (@peterdoggers) October 31, 2025
Congrats on the book @capakhine. Can’t wait to dig in and the cover is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DYH0R0jXbF
— Jennifer Shahade (@JenShahade) November 1, 2025
