Learn from the GREATS

From Steinitz to Smsylov...

The following quotes are the thoughts and advice of great players that influenced my development and understanding of the chess game. Let's learn from the rich heritage of the past and start where the basis of modern chess begins, continuing the course to present day...

Wilhelm Steinitz –

" Regularity of study and practice very much facilitates making rapid progress. It is much better to devote to chess one hour per day for six consecutive days than six hours one day in the week." 

Emanuel Lasker –

" Education in chess has to be an education in independent thinking and judging. You should keep in mind no names, nor numbers, nor isolated incidents, not even results, but only methods. The method is plastic. It is applicable in every situation."  

Jose Raul Capablanca –

" It would be a grave mistake to study the opening without keeping in mind the subsequent middlegame and ending. In the same way it would be wrong to study the middlegame without considering the endgame. This reasoning clearly proves that in order to improve your game you must study the endgame before anything else; for, whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middlegame and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame."

Alexander Alekhine –

" More than anything else, chess teaches you to be objective. In chess you can only make yourself a great master by becoming aware of your mistakes and deficiencies. One trait more than any other determines one's strength at chess: unshakeable concentration, which has to cut a player off completely from the outside world." 

Max Euwe –

" Strategy requires thought, tactics require observation. Whomever sees no other aim in the game than that of giving checkmate to one's opponent will never become a good chess player."

Mikhail Botvinnik –

" When my opponent's clock is going I discuss general considerations in an internal dialogue with myself. When my own clock is going I analyse concrete variations. Anyone wishing to become an outstanding chess player must also perfect his skills in chess analysis."

Vasily Smyslov –

" A considerable role in the forming of my style was played by an early attraction to study composition. My fascination for studies proved highly beneficial - it assisted my the development of my aesthetic understanding of chess, and improved my endgame play."

Stay tuned for more advice and ideas...