I spend hours playing chess because I find it so much fun. The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.
Magnus CarlsenRead
Self-confidence is very important. If you don't think you can win, you will take cowardly decisions in the crucial moments, out of sheer respect for your opponent. You see the opportunity but also greater limitations than you should. I have always believed in what I do on the chessboard, even when I had no objective reason to. It is better to overestimate your prospects than underestimate them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Self-confidence is crucial for success and decision-making, especially in competitive situations.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-confidence in achieving success, particularly during critical moments. Magnus Carlsen points out that lacking belief in oneself can lead to hesitancy and poor decisions, as one may become overly focused on the limitations rather than the potential for victory. He advocates for the idea that having a positive self-perception can open more opportunities for success, suggesting that it's often better to err on the side of optimism than to underestimate one's abilities.
Themes
Self-ConfidenceSuccessDecisionsOpportunitiesLimitations
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to young athletes, one could use this quote to inspire confidence in their abilities.
More from Magnus Carlsen
All quotes →There wasn't any particular player I modeled my game after. I tried to learn from everyone and create my own style. I studied past players... Truth be told I never had a favorite player. It's just not my nature to go around idolizing people. I just go try to learn.
Magnus CarlsenRead
Maybe if I didn't have the talent in chess I'd find the talent in something else. The only thing I know is that I have talent in chess, and I'm satisfied with that.
Magnus CarlsenRead
Without the element of enjoyment, it is not worth trying to excel at anything.
Magnus CarlsenRead
Some people think that if their opponent plays a beautiful game, it's okay to lose. I don't. You have to be merciless.
Magnus CarlsenRead
For me right now I think being the world number one is a bigger deal than being the world champion because I think it shows better who plays the best chess. That sounds self-serving but I think it's also right.
Magnus CarlsenRead
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