Viktor Korchnoi Quotes

Chess is so inspiring that I do not believe a good player is capable of having an evil thought during the game.

Nothing goes through your head when you're playing except who you are playing against and what you can do to affect the game.

Captivated by its discipline, humanity forgets and goes on forgetting that it is the discipline of chess players, not of angels.

Chess demands total concentration

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

During a Chess competition a Chessmaster should be a combination of a beast of prey and a monk

I think most people are fascinated by chess for that reason. It's just these mystical shapes. It's almost like Harry Potteresque, like wizard's chess in a way. The pieces come alive and you're the sorcerer. You're the magician and you get to do what you want with them and hopefully you don't screw it up.

The No. 1 thing is you want to be able to win the game, and we're going to do whatever we have to do to win the game.

Fencing is a game of living chess, a match where reflexes only work in combination with intent, and mind and body must work together at every moment.

I am not a bomber. I'm more about precision and being target-oriented. I have to rely on all parts of my game firing if I'm going to win.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

Chess is ruthless: you've got to be prepared to kill people.

My main focus is on my game.

Of course I used to smile and laugh in 1976, but not when I was competing. Please show me somebody who laughs when they are concentrating; I always smiled.

The most interesting thing to me in chess are not the gambits. Or the moves. It's the mental toughness.

I try not to think about the person, just their tactics, their weaknesses and strengths. I play against the ball.

I'm a guy who's been around this sport on the outside looking in, seeing, watching, scheming, plotting and planning his next big move.

I'm not too worried about points and all that stuff. It's about making the right play.

Analysis of opponents is something I like doing.

You are not always going to be able to knock it and run. You are going to have to use the other foot, mix things up, use the brain.

Obviously, I don't want to be too emotional. I just kind of want to use my energy on the court so I can just be able to be effective on both ends of the floor.

I find the game mentally challenging and really enjoy the chess match that occurs every week between the offense and the opposing defense.

Kids love games and chess is a game where you have to sit down and concentrate and it just helps in every way.

I outwit them, and then I outhit them

You don't think anything about age when you're playing [golf]. I mean, why would you ever think about that.