“The guy ate and breathed the game. If he wasn’t…

“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

About Tal

Other Mikhail Tal Quotes

Chess is better than checkers. In the very least it has a more interesting cast of characters. - View Quote Details on Chess is better than checkers. In the very least it…
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…
They compare me with Lasker, which is an exaggerated honor. Lasker made mistakes in every game and I only in every second one! - View Quote Details on They compare me with Lasker, which is an exaggerated honor…
Later, I began to succeed in decisive games. Perhaps because I realized a very simple truth: not only was I worried, but also my opponent. - View Quote Details on Later, I began to succeed in decisive games. Perhaps because…
The pieces must breathe deeply and with a full chest! - View Quote Details on The pieces must breathe deeply and with a full chest!
It’s funny, but many people don’t understand why I draw so many games nowadays. They think my style must have changed but this is not the case at all. The answer to this drawing disease is that my favorite squares are e6, f7, g7 and h7 and everyone now knows this. They protect these squares not once but four times! - View Quote Details on It’s funny, but many people don’t understand why I draw…
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…
There are two types of sacrifices - sound ones and mine. - View Quote Details on There are two types of sacrifices - sound ones and…
“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…
“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…