The truth is that my chess development was nothing out of the ordinary, and it proceeded probably at a pace no faster than others.

No, I do not want to sacrifice four days for two games. My time is too valuable to do that

I like 1.e4 very much, but my results are better with 1.d4.

But how difficult it can be to gain the desired full point against an opponent of inferior strength, when this is demanded by the tournament position!

Chess is a very tough game, and psychologically a tough game. And of course chess needs a lot of qualities, human qualities. And so you must have very strong nervous system and then you must be well prepared, you must be able to work a lot.

Like dogs who sniff each other when meeting, chess players have a ritual at first acquaintance: they sit down to play speed chess.

If the opponent offers keen play I don't object; but in such cases I get less satisfaction, even if I win, than from a game conducted according to all the rules of strategy with its ruthless logic.