Esteban Canal (April 19, 1896 – February 14, 1981)[1] was a leading Peruvianchess player who had his best tournament results in the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Chiclayo, Peru, he later lived in Italy, and died in Varese.
As a chess player
Canal was placed second at Trieste 1923, tied for second at Merano 1926, tenth at Budapest 1929, tied for tenth out of 22 at Carlsbad 1929, tied for seventh at Rohitsch-Sauerbrunn 1929, second at Budapest 1932, tied for fourth at Bad Sliac, first at Budapest 1933, fifth at Mährisch-Ostrau 1933, and tied for first at Reus 1936. After World War II, he was tied for second at Venice 1947, tied for sixth at Bad Gastein 1948, tied for second at Venice 1948, and finally won at Venice 1953.[2][3]
Canal wrote "Strategia di Avamposti" (Outpost Strategy) in 1948, in which he explains his ideas with 50 games commented in his colorful style. It contains games with players such as Capablanca, Nimzovitch, Rubinstein, Vidmar, Reti, Pirc, Saemisch, Menchik, Lilienthal, Bogoljubov, and other greats of the time.
From 1962 to 1978, Esteban Canal also kept a chess column in the Italian magazine "Fenarete Letture d'Italia".
Canal, Esteban (2017) [1962–1978]. Monti, Luca; Messa, Roberto (eds.). 64 lezioni di scacchi [64 Chess Lessons (collection of chess columns published in the Italian literary journal 'Fenarete' from 1962 to 1978)]. Messaggerie Scacchistiche. ISBN9788898503148. OCLC1045992485.
