Alexander Alekhine

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

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.

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

Capablanca was snatched too early from the chess world. With his death we have lost a great chess genius, the like of whom we will never see again.

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

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.

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