Just as one’s imagination is stirred by a girl’s smile,…

Just as one’s imagination is stirred by a girl’s smile, so is one’s imagination stirred by the possibilities of chess.

Attributed

Other Mikhail Tal Quotes

“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…
“I was surprised by his ability to figure out complex variations. Then the way he sets out the game; he was not interested in the objectivity of the position, whether it’s better or worse, he only needed room for his pieces. All you do then is figure out variations which are extremely difficult. He was tactically outplaying me and I made mistakes.” – Mikhail Botvinnik - View Quote Details on “I was surprised by his ability to figure out complex…
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…
“Believe me, playing in such a style, this guy has no chess future.” – Peter Romanovsky (on a young Tal) - View Quote Details on “Believe me, playing in such a style, this guy has…
I like to grasp the initiative and not give my opponent peace of mind. - View Quote Details on I like to grasp the initiative and not give my…
I’d be glad to get to Heaven, but my sins won’t allow it! - View Quote Details on I’d be glad to get to Heaven, but my sins…
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…
“First, how to sac my queen, then rook, then bishop, then knight, then pawns.” (on what he thinks about after his opponent moves) - View Quote Details on “First, how to sac my queen, then rook, then bishop,…
“The chess pieces in Tal’s hands radiated magical energy. Tal quickly became the favorite of chess fans all around the world. People attended the games of the “chess magician” for the same reasons the spectators had listened to the violinist-virtuoso Paganini.” – Valery Tsaturian - View Quote Details on “The chess pieces in Tal’s hands radiated magical energy. Tal…
Extraordinarily tense, full-blooded struggles that are absolutely without any mistakes are only to be found in distant interplanetary chess tournaments. - View Quote Details on Extraordinarily tense, full-blooded struggles that are absolutely without any mistakes…