The most popular image of the legendary CHEChe was a very strong amateur. His love of the game was the principal reason why the Olympiad in 1966 was organized in Havana. It is also no wonder why chess is so popular in Cuba today.
In those days you were allowed to smoke during play
Deep in thought. And a great pose.
Kibitzing. Che was quite friendly and had a great sense of humour, especially when he was not waging revolution. GM Pachman tells of a time when he was approached by Che: ''You know, comrade Pachman, I don't enjoy being a Minister, I would rather play chess like you, or make a revolution in Venezuela."
During the 1966 Olympiad Castro at a photo opportunity with the American genius
BOTH CHE AND CASTRO , SOON AFTER TAKING POWER IN 1959, REALIZED THAT RUNNING A COUNTRY WAS MORE DIFFICULT THAN JUST TAKING IT OVER. FOR A TIME THEY BOTH THOUGHT OF RETIRING FROM THE REVOLUTION, AND BECOMING PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS TOURING ON THE INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT:
AFTER ALL,
HOW DIFFICULT CAN GOLF BE?
But very soon it became evident that Che had no talent! Golf was much more difficult than shooting a machinegun in the jungle.
No matter how much he practiced, Che could just not improve. (He actually seemed to be getting worse!) Castro began to get impatient with Che... 
''Watch this!'' Castro decided to show Che how to hit the damn yankee ball.
''Voila! That is how it is done. Are you paying attention , Che?''However, fortunately for both the Revolution and the game of Golf, Che and Castro decided against turning pro, and went back to doing what they had talent for...besides, there was little future in that clothing line!
IMMEDIATELY AFTER SEIZING POWER IN 1959, CASTRO HIRED A BIG NEW YORK PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM. HE REALIZED THAT IMAGE WAS ALMOST AS IMPORTANT AS GOOD POLICY. THE RESULTS WERE IMMEDIATELY SATISFYING TO CASTRO...
BEFORE
THIS MAN SEEMS TOO FRIENDLY. WHIMPISH EVEN. CERTAINLY NOT A LEADER TO INSPIRE FEAR AND RESPECT
AFTER
NOW THIS IS A REAL LEADER! SOMEONE THAT NO ONE CAN TRUST! NOT EVEN HIS MOTHER.CASTRO WAS SO IMPRESSED THAT HE TOLD CHE ABOUT THE PR FIRM, AND THEY GOT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY . THEY TRIED SEVERAL IDEAS TO CHANGE HIS IMAGE...
FIRST TRY
NO WAY! CHE THREATENED TO SHOOT THE PR REPRESENTATIVE
SECOND TRY
BETTER, BUT POLITICALLY INCORRECT
FINALLY CASTRO SUGGESTED USING THE SAME CIGAR THAT HE USED...
and the result is the second most popular image of the legendary CHE
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
