I still remember Botvinnik's reaction to each of my games, right from the opening moves. At first he would express amazement, then annoyance, and, finally irritation.
Anatoly KarpovI am thinking about chess in schools in particular. In the USA more than 3200 children competed in an event.
Anatoly KarpovTo be champion requires more than simply being a strong player; one has to be a strong human being as well.
Anatoly KarpovThis whole fuss did not only damage Fischer's image, but that of the USA as well. The way the Americans treated one of their most popular citizens did not make a positive impression worldwide.
Anatoly KarpovAfter that, Kasparov stepped back from chess which is, and I want this to be clear, not good for chess in general at all. As a whole, the current situation in the chess world leaves a lot to be desired.
Anatoly KarpovI didn't picture myself as even a grandmaster, to say nothing of aspiring to the chess crown. This was not because I was timid - I wasn't - but because I simply lived in one world, and the grandmasters existed in a completely different one. People like that were not really even people, but like gods or mythical heroes.
Anatoly Karpov