Chess is no whit inferior to the violin, and we have a large number of professional violinists
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
I ... have two vocations: chess and engineering. If I played chess only, I believe that my success would not have been significantly greater. I can play chess well only when I have fully convalesced from chess and when the 'hunger for chess' once more awakens within me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Balancing multiple interests enhances overall success.
Mikhail Botvinnik expresses that engaging in both chess and engineering contributes significantly to his success in chess. He believes that focusing exclusively on chess might have limited his potential and emphasizes the importance of taking breaks to rekindle his passion for the game.
Themes
SuccessChessEngineeringVocationPassion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech to illustrate the importance of diverse interests for success.
More from Mikhail Botvinnik
All quotes βIf you are weak in the endgame, you must spend more time analysing studies; in your training games you must aim at transposing to endgames, which will help you to acquire the requisite experience.
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
I claim that nothing else is so effective in encouraging the growth of chess strength as such independent analysis, both of the games of the great players and your own.
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
Suddenly it was obvious to me in my analysis I had missed what_x000D_ Fischer had found with the greatest of ease at the board
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
Chess is the art which expresses the science of logic.
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
Capablanca's play produced and still produces an irresistable artistic effect. In his games a tendency towards simplicity predominated, and in this simplicity there was a unique beauty of genuine depth.
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
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