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World-champion Cuban chess player (1888-1942) considered one of the greatest of all time. ALS signed “Raul,” one page both sides, 5.5 x 8.5, Hotel Packard letterhead, August 28, 1938. Handwritten letter to "Ma chere Kikiriki," his girlfriend Olga Evgenyevna Choubaroff, in part: "Although I have had no news from you, I am writing to say that things have now changed much and that I do not know yet if I shall be able to leave on the 31st. I rather think not. Had I known 3 weeks ago what I know now I should have told you to come over. The first is here has been a crisis and the Gov. had no money. At first they did not admit it and we were told that it would be a matter of days. Now at last the whole thing has come out and it is all for the best.—A number of secretaries were changed and the new Secretary of the Treasury has already placed the money for the Foreign Service. Thus I expect to get my money in the next few days. There is yet another point: a few days ago, Congress passed and the President sanctioned a law yielding me 5 thousand dollars for the purpose of arranging the Championship match. Tomorrow or Tuesday I shall see the Secretary of the Treasury about it and I shall then know where I stand. I cannot leave before these matters are settled and if I find that I shall yet have to remain here more than 2 weeks I shall then cable you to come over. If I find that I shall be able to leave within two weeks I shall then write to you to that effect…Our separation this time has been much longer than I expected, but it will be the last, and in any case it has helped to settle everything definitely—I have no doubt your family and friends have been pestering you, but my answer is that they should not meddle." In fine condition.
Capablana would marry Choubaroff, a socialite and self-proclaimed Russian princess, a few months after sending this letter. His stress about finances and reconnecting with her reference his desire to marry her (seemingly over the wishes of her friends and family) and to make one last attempt to regain his chess title, which he did not. Capablanca and Choubaroff were married until his death in 1942.
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