José Sanz Aguado

José Sanz Aguado (20 November 1907 – 14 December 1969) was a Spanish chess player and Spanish Chess Championship winner.

Biography In the 1930s José Sanz Aguado was one of the strongest chess players in Spain.

José Sanz Aguado played for Spain in the Chess Olympiad: In 1931, at reserve board in the 4th Chess Olympiad in Prague (+3, =1, -11).

He fought in the Spanish Civil War and lost his leg in battle. After the war he was forced to move to France but later returned to his homeland. In 1943, José Sanz Aguado won the Spanish Chess Championship after victory in his match against Ramón Rey Ardid - 5½:4½ (+4, =3, -3). José Sanz Aguado participated in several international tournaments and two radio matches with Argentina (1946, 1948). He participated in the International Tournament of Gijón in 1946 and 1949; achieving the ninth and tenth ranks respectively.

José Sanz Aguado was also known as a chess journalist. He was the founder and first editor of the magazine El ajedrez español. From 1934 to 1936 twenty three issues came out, after which the magazine was closed. José Sanz Aguado revived the magazine in 1955.

He released two chess books: Campeonatos de España de ajedrez, 1944-1945, editorial Dossat, Madrid, año 1945. Morphy, la estrella fugaz, editorial Ricardo Aguilera, Madrid, año 1957.

Notable game

José Sanz Aguado was widely known for his spectacular combination in a game against Martín Ortueta, played in 1933.

Martín Ortueta — José Sanz Aguado, Madrid, 1933

31... Rxb2!! 32. Nxb2 c3 33. Rxb6 c4!! 34. Rb4 a5!! 35. Nxc4 c2. White resigns.