Part of my preparation for the World Champion match…
“Part of my preparation for the World Champion match against Kasparov was to be ready for his off-board tactics. I did not to react to them at all. Once you start thinking about these things during the game, even analysing them, you're caught.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Kramnik emphasizes staying mentally detached from an opponent’s psychological ploys to maintain focus on the board.
In simple terms: Ignore opponent’s mind games to stay focused.
Stay calm, ignore off‑board tactics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- high‑stakes matches
- tournament play
- training sessions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you train mental resilience?
- What techniques keep you present during pressure?
Opponent’s tactics can still affect performance if not managed.