JosÃ RaÃ l Capablanca y Graupera ( Havana , Cuba , 19 November 1888 -- New York , 8 March 1942 ) was a Cuban chess player who was World Chess Champion from 1921 to 1927 . JosÃ RaÃ l Capablanca y Graupera ( 19 November 1888 â `` 8 March 1942 ) was a Cuban chess player who was world chess champion from 1921 to 1927 .