The infallible criterion by which to distinguish the true from the would-be strategist is the degree of originality of his conceptions. It makes little difference whether this originality is carried to excess, as was the case with Steinitz and Nimzowitsch.

Alexander Alekhine

More Quotes by Alexander Alekhine
Categorized in : Would Be Differences Excess
More Quotes From Alexander Alekhine
Psychology is the most important factor in chess. by Alexander Alekhine

Psychology is the most important factor in chess.

Alexander Alekhine
psychology important chess

During a chess tournament a master must envisage himself as a cross between an ascetic monk and a beast of prey.

Alexander Alekhine
beast strategy chess

You can become a big master in chess only if you see your mistakes and short-comings. Exactly the same as in life itself.

Alexander Alekhine
bigs mistake chess
A lifetime in not enough to learn everything about chess. by Alexander Alekhine

A lifetime in not enough to learn everything about chess.

Alexander Alekhine
enough lifetime chess

For my victory over Capablanca I am indebted primarily to my superiority in the field of psychology. Capablanca played, relying almost exclusively on his rich intuitive talent. But for the chess struggle nowadays one needs a subtle knowledge of human nature, an understanding of the opponent's psychology.

Alexander Alekhine
psychology understanding struggle
I consider chess an art, and accept all those responsibilities wh... by Alexander Alekhine

I consider chess an art, and accept all those responsibilities which art places upon its devotees.

Alexander Alekhine
responsibility chess art

I do not play chess – I fight at chess. Therefore, I willingly combine the tactical with the strategic, the fantastic with the scientific, the combinative with the positional, and I aim to respond to the demands of each given position.

Alexander Alekhine
style fighting play
Deux fous gagnent toujours, mais trois fous, non! by Alexander Alekhine

Deux fous gagnent toujours, mais trois fous, non!

Alexander Alekhine
chess

When asked, -How is that you pick better moves than your opponents?, I responded: I'm very glad you asked me that, because, as it happens, there is a very simple answer. I think up my own moves, and I make my opponent think up his

Alexander Alekhine
simple moving thinking
Chess, like other arts, must be practiced to be appreciated. by Alexander Alekhine

Chess, like other arts, must be practiced to be appreciated.

Alexander Alekhine
appreciated chess art

Playing for complications is an extreme measure that a player should adopt only when he cannot find a clear and logical plan.

Alexander Alekhine
strategy player chess

For success I consider three factors are necessary: firstly, an awareness of my own strengths and weaknesses; secondly, an accurate understanding of my opponent's strengths and weaknesses; thirdly, a higher aim than momentary satisfaction. I see this aim as being scientific and artistic achievements, which place the game of chess on a par with other arts.

Alexander Alekhine
games success art

Never before and never since have I seen - and I cannot even imagine, such an amazing rapidity of chess thinking that Capablanca possessed in 1913-14. In blitz games he gave all the St. Petersburg players odds of five minutes to one - and he won.

Alexander Alekhine
odds player thinking

Oh! this opponent, this collaborator against his will, whose notion of Beauty always differs from yours and whose means (strength, imagination, technique) are often too limited to help you effectively! What torment, to have your thinking and your phantasy tied down by another person!

Alexander Alekhine
imagination mean thinking
Play on both sides of the board is my favourite strategy. by Alexander Alekhine

Play on both sides of the board is my favourite strategy.

Alexander Alekhine
boards play chess

That which Steinitz gave to the theoretical aspect of the game when he was at his best is very remote to all out home-bred chess philosophers, but with his views on Morphy, whom he tries to discredit completely, it is of course impossible to agree.

Alexander Alekhine
views games home

I have had to work long and hard to eradicate the dangerous delusion that, in a bad position, I could always, or nearly always, conjure up some unexpected combination to extricate me from my difficulties.

Alexander Alekhine
combination unexpected long
I study chess eight hours a day, on principle. by Alexander Alekhine

I study chess eight hours a day, on principle.

Alexander Alekhine
eight principles chess
I believe that true beauty of chess is more than enough to satisf... by Alexander Alekhine

I believe that true beauty of chess is more than enough to satisfy all possible demands.

Alexander Alekhine
true-beauty demand believe
Combination is a soul of chess. by Alexander Alekhine

Combination is a soul of chess.

Alexander Alekhine
combination soul chess