Chess is better than checkers. In the very least it…

Chess is better than checkers. In the very least it has a more interesting cast of characters.

Attributed

Other Mikhail Tal Quotes

“The guy ate and breathed the game. If he wasn’t playing in a tournament he was playing blitz or talking about the latest chess news; nobody adored chess as much as Tal did!” – Jeremy Silman - View Quote Details on “The guy ate and breathed the game. If he wasn’t…
If you wait for luck to turn up, life becomes very boring. - View Quote Details on If you wait for luck to turn up, life becomes…
“Tal enjoys excitement and hair-raising complications, and in that kind of game he can find his way around better than anyone else.” – Paul Keres - View Quote Details on “Tal enjoys excitement and hair-raising complications, and in that kind…
“I realized that you cannot tackle him if the pieces are mobile and active. I played closed positions in which Tal could gain no advantage. Tal had no positional understanding for closed games.” – Mikhail Botvinnik (on their ‘61 rematch) - View Quote Details on “I realized that you cannot tackle him if the pieces…
Usually, I prefer not to study chess but to play it. For me chess is more an art than a science. It’s been said that Alekhine and I played similar chess, except that he studied more. Yes, perhaps, but I have to say that he played, too. - View Quote Details on Usually, I prefer not to study chess but to play…
Many sacrifices don’t require concrete calculation at all. It is sufficient to only glance at the arising position to convince us that the sacrifice is correct. - View Quote Details on Many sacrifices don’t require concrete calculation at all. It is…
Just as one’s imagination is stirred by a girl’s smile, so is one’s imagination stirred by the possibilities of chess. - View Quote Details on Just as one’s imagination is stirred by a girl’s smile,…
The pieces must breathe deeply and with a full chest! - View Quote Details on The pieces must breathe deeply and with a full chest!
“In a world where most players have grudges against most other players - Korchnoi hates everyone, Kasparov hates Karpov, Shirov hates Kasparov, Fischer thinks everyone is out to get him, etc., etc. - Tal was the only chess personality who appeared to be loved by virtually everyone. Even Fischer adored the guy.” – Jeremy Silman - View Quote Details on “In a world where most players have grudges against most…
“Tal doesn’t move the pieces by hand; he uses a magic wand.” – Viacheslav Ragozin - View Quote Details on “Tal doesn’t move the pieces by hand; he uses a…