There is no doubt that the reason for my awful oversight was over-confidence that sapped my sense of danger. So that is where to look for the cause of bad blunders - in the exulting feeling of self-congratulation. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
The main thing that develops positional judgement, that perfects it and makes it many-sided, is detailed analytical work, sensible tournament practice, a self-critical attitude to your games and a rooting out of all the defects in your play. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
I can remember a case where Capablanca worked out an impressive combination, but then chose to make a simple move in answer to which… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
There is no doubt that the reason for my awful oversight was over-confidence that sapped my sense of danger. So that is where to… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
In analysing complicated variations one must examine each branch of the tree once and once only. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
All candidate moves should be identified at once and listed in one's head. This job cannot be done piecemeal, by first examining one move… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
Just as the pianist practices the most complicated pieces to improve the technique of his fingers, so too a grandmaster must keep his vision… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
I cannot think that a player genuinely loving the game can get pleasure just from the number of points scored no matter how impressive… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
The placing of the centre pawns determines the "topography" of a game of chess. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
I soon realized that it is not enough for a master simply to analyse variations scrupulously just like an accountant. He must learn to… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
After a great deal of discussion in Soviet literature about the correct definition of a combination, it was decided that from the point of… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
Anyone who wishes to learn how to play chess well must make himself or herself thoroughly conversant with the play in positions where the… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
If you study the classic examples of endgame play you will see how the king was brought up as soon as possible even though… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
In choosing an opening plan players think most of all of harmonious development for the pieces, but sometimes leave the development of the queen… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
