There is no doubt that Bronstein's shrewd understanding of chess psychology was crucial to his success. Without it, his impetuous style and technical flaws might have relegated him to a minor career.

According to such great attacking players as Bronstein and Tal, most combinations are inspired by the player's memories of earlier games.

In the Soviets' view, chess was not merely an art or a science or even a sport; it was what it had been invented to simulate: war.

Typically, in the last round of open tournaments the level of play is markedly lower, the number of blunders higher.

Patience is the most valuable trait of the endgame player. In the endgame, the most common errors, besides those resulting from ignorance of theory, are caused by either impatience, complacency, exhaustion, or all of the above.

Agreeing to draws in the middlegame, equal or otherwise, deprives you of the opportunity to practice playing endgames, and the endgame is probably where you need the most practice.

The business of the endgame is maneuvring to control critical squares, advancing or blockading passed pawns, preparing a breakthrough by the king, or exploiting the subtle superiority of one piece over another.