Capablanca's play produced and still produces an irresistable artistic effect. In his games a tendency towards simplicity predominated, and in this simplicity there was a unique beauty of genuine depth.
Mikhail BotvinnikThe triumph of the analytical movement, which formed in the '30's and '40's, was precisely what earned the Soviet masters the acclaim of chessplayers the world over. Unfortunately, it must also be noted that, for today's chessmasters, the watchword is practicality.
Mikhail BotvinnikIf you are going to make your mark among masters, you have to work far harder and more intensively, or, to put it more exactly, the work is far more complex than that needed to gain the title of Master.
Mikhail BotvinnikChess, like any creative activity, can exist only through the combined efforts of those who have creative talent, and those who have the ability to organize their creative work
Mikhail BotvinnikEvery great master will find it useful to have his own theory on the openings, which only he himself knows, a theory which is closely linked with plans for the middle game.
Mikhail BotvinnikIt is peculiar but a fact nevertheless, that the gamblers in chess have enthusiastic followers.
Mikhail BotvinnikChess is no whit inferior to the violin, and we have a large number of professional violinists
Mikhail BotvinnikIf you are weak in the endgame, you must spend more time analysing studies; in your training games you must aim at transposing to endgames, which will help you to acquire the requisite experience.
Mikhail BotvinnikIt is a well known fact that almost all the outstanding chess-players have been first-class analysts.
Mikhail BotvinnikI ... have two vocations: chess and engineering. If I played chess only, I believe that my success would not have been significantly greater. I can play chess well only when I have fully convalesced from chess and when the 'hunger for chess' once more awakens within me.
Mikhail BotvinnikYou have to accustom yourself to practical study at home, you have to devote time to studies, to the history of chess, the development of chess theory, of chess culture.
Mikhail BotvinnikWhen my opponent's clock is going I discuss general considerations in an internal dialogue with myself. When my own clock is going I analyse conctrete variations.
Mikhail BotvinnikThe boy (then a 12 year old boy named Anatoly Karpov)doesn't have a clue about Chess, and there's no future at all for him in this profession
Mikhail BotvinnikIt must be clearly understood that Soviet players do not seek simple systems in the opening, but try to formulate opening systems in which everything is complicated, distinctive, or new.
Mikhail BotvinnikWith opposite coloured bishops the attacking side has in effect an extra piece in the shape of his bishop.
Mikhail BotvinnikAbove all else, before playing in competitions a player must have regard to his health, for if he is suffering from ill-health he cannot hope for success. In this connection the best of all tonics is 15 to 20 days in the fresh air, in the country.
Mikhail BotvinnikDon't worry kids, you'll find work. After all, my machine will need strong chess player-programmers. You will be the first.
Mikhail BotvinnikMemorization of variations could be even worse than playing in a tournament without looking in the books at all.
Mikhail BotvinnikIn short, we can see Karpov as an exploiter of other people’s ideas. His ability to use these ideas is not at issue, but he himself is about as fertile as a woman who has been sterilized is.
Mikhail BotvinnikIf Tal sacrifices a piece, take it. If Petrosian sacrifices a piece, don't take it.
Mikhail BotvinnikI claim that nothing else is so effective in encouraging the growth of chess strength as such independent analysis, both of the games of the great players and your own.
Mikhail BotvinnikThere is no better place for learning to work independently and to extend your horizon than in higher school.
Mikhail BotvinnikChess is a part of culture and if a culture is declining then Chess too will decline
Mikhail Botvinnik