Of course, errors are not good for a chess game, but errors are unavoidable and in any case, a game without ant errors, or as they say 'flawless game' is colorless.
Mikhail TalRead
The cherished dream of every chessplayer is to play a match with the World Champion. But here is the paradox: the closer you come to the realization of this goal, the less you think about it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Chess players aspire to compete against the World Champion, yet as they approach this goal, they often focus less on it.
This quote by Mikhail Tal highlights the journey of striving for one's ultimate goal, in this case, a match with the World Champion in chess. It suggests that as individuals become more skilled and closer to their dreams, their mindset shifts from the goal itself to the process, skill, and enjoyment of the game, illustrating the paradox of ambition and focus during the pursuit of success.
Themes
ChessSuccessGoalAmbitionJourney
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech at a chess tournament, one could say this quote to inspire young players.
More from Mikhail Tal
All quotes →In my games I have sometimes found a combination intuitively simply feeling that it must be there. Yet I was not able to translate my thought processes into normal human language.
Mikhail TalRead
I will not hide the fact that I love to hear the spectators react after a sacrifice of a piece or pawn. I don't think that there is anything bad in such a feeling; no artist or musician is indifferent to the reactions of the public.
Mikhail TalRead
For pleasure you can read the games collections of Andersson and Chigorin, but for benefit you should study Tarrasch, Keres and Bronstein.
Mikhail TalRead
To play for a draw (at any rate with White) is to some degree a crime against chess.
Mikhail TalRead
Botvinnik's right! When he says such things, then he's right. 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.
Mikhail TalRead
Similar quotes
The companies that work are the ones that people really care about and have a vision for the world so do something you like.
Mark ZuckerbergRead
Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.
Peter DruckerRead
The secret of success is to make your mind work for you - not against you. This means constantly being positive, constantly setting up challenges you can meet - either today, next week, or next month etc.
Arnold SchwarzeneggerRead
The world was full of locked doors, and he had to get his hand on every key.
Orson Scott CardRead
There might have been a thousand people who had a better athletic feat than what I did. So for me, just the fact that they gave Canadian Athlete of the Year - and also, I was voted third in the Male Athlete of the Year - the fact that some people did consider what I did an athletic feat, that really makes me feel good.
Terry FoxRead
Mentally, the only players who survive in the pros are the ones able to manage all their responsibilities. Everybody struggles in different ways.
Tom BradyRead