During a Chess competition a Chessmaster should be a combination of a beast of prey and a monk
Interpretation
A chessmaster must balance instinctive aggression with calm, focused strategy.
This quote emphasizes the dual nature required to excel in chess: one must possess the savage tenacity of a predator while also embodying the disciplined patience of a monk. It highlights that success in chess, much like in life, requires both fierce determination and serene contemplation.
In practice
During a motivational speech to aspiring chess players.
I do not play chess β I fight at chess. Therefore, I willingly combine the tactical with the strategic, the fantastic with the scientific, the combinative with the positional, and I aim to respond to the demands of each given position.
I consider chess an art, and accept all those responsibilities which art places upon its devotees.
Capablanca was snatched too early from the chess world. With his death we have lost a great chess genius, the like of whom we will never see again.
You can become a big master in chess only if you see your mistakes and short-comings. Exactly the same as in life itself.
For my victory over Capablanca I am indebted primarily to my superiority in the field of psychology. Capablanca played, relying almost exclusively on his rich intuitive talent. But for the chess struggle nowadays one needs a subtle knowledge of human nature, an understanding of the opponent's psychology.
During a chess tournament a master must envisage himself as a cross between an ascetic monk and a beast of prey.
The necessary thing for anyone to be happy and contented as long as he lives is working for the ones who will come after him rather than working for himself... One can reach the true delight and happiness in the life only by working for the existence, honor, and happiness of the future generations.
Abstracted hatred is incredibly potent. There's never the risk of having it challenged by the reality of living human beings.
We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it and stop there lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove lid again and that is well but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.
The intellect is not the means of creation, and creation does not take place through the functioning of the intellect; on the contrary, there is creation when the intellect is silent.
No matter how deep a study you make. What you really have to rely on is your own intuition and when it comes down to it, you really don't know what's going to happen until you do it.
There is no such thing as a problem breed. However, there is no shortage of 'problem owners'.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.