I remember being with a girlfriend who asked me to look over some chess openings with her. I instantly fell asleep. I found that I could always take a nap in any situation by just looking at some opening variation - my eyes would shut right away.

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.

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

Sometimes players need to gain time on the clock by repeating the position, but most often its purpose is to wear down the opponent psychologically.

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

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.

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.