27 Most Powerful Quotes and Phrases That Describe Chess

This is a list of 27 most important chess traits represented in form of quotes from the greatest chess players of all times: Kaparov, Fischer, Karpov, Lasker, Tarrasch and many others. To be good at something we need to understand what and how the greatest think about the subject. That applies to chess as well; by exploring minds of greatest chess players it is possible to better understand the nature of this game. Enough philosophy, enjoy the list of quotes about chess!

• “The laws of Chess do not permit a free choice:
  you have to move whether you like it or not”
  (Emanuel Lasker)
• “I look one move ahead… the best!”
  (Siegbert Tarrasch)
• “First-class players lose to second-class players because
  second-class players sometimes play a first-class game”
  (Siegbert Tarrasch)
• “Weak points or holes in the opponent’s position must
  be occupied by pieces not Pawns”
  (Siegbert Tarrasch)
• “In Chess, as it is played by masters, chance is practically eliminated”
  (Emanuel Lasker)
• “The passion for playing Chess is one of the
  most unaccountable in the world”
  (H.G. Wells)
• “The older I grow, the more I value Pawns”
  (Keres)
• The sign of a great Master is his ability to win
  a won game quickly and painlessly”
  (Irving Chernev)
• “Those who say they understand Chess, understand nothing”
  (Robert Hubner)
• “One bad move nullifies forty good ones”
  (Horowitz)
• “Every Pawn is a potential Queen”
  (James Mason)
• “I prefer to lose a really good game than to win a bad one”
  (David Levy)
• “Chess is a terrific way for kids to build self image and self esteem”
  (Saudin Robovic)
• “When you are lonely, when you feel yourself an alien in the world, play Chess. This will raise your spirits and be your counselor in war”
  (Aristotle)
• “Pawns: they are the soul of this game, they alone
  form the attack and defense”
  (Philidor)
• “Chess is 99 percent tactics”
  (Teichmann)
• “Chess is war over the board. The object is to crush the opponents mind”
  (Bobby Fischer)
• “Chess demands total concentration”
  (Bobby Fischer)
• “Chess is everything: art, science and sport”
  (Anatoly Karpov)
• “Chess is the art which expresses the science of logic”
  (Mikhail Botvinnik)
• “A bad plan is better than none at all”
  (Frank Marshall)
• “Chess is life”
  (Bobby Fischer)
• “The mistakes are there, waiting to be made”
  (Savielly Tartakower)
• “Chess is mental torture”
  (Garry Kasparov)
• “When you see a good move, look for a better one”
  (Emanuel Lasker)
• “The Pin is mightier than the sword”
  (Fred Reinfeld)
• “Without error there can be no brilliancy”
  (Emanuel Lasker)

Inspired by quotes about chess? Check out our store and articles:

• Fischer – Spassky Rematch

• Ironman vs. Gladiator – The Ultimate Chess Battle of Legends

• 30 Top Chess Quotes

• Chess Quotes — Top 50 of all time