Memorization of variations could be even worse than playing in a tournament without looking in the books at all. — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
When my opponent's clock is going I discuss general considerations in an internal dialogue with myself. When my own clock is going… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
Capablanca's phenomenal move-searching algorithm in those early years, when he possessed a wonderful ability for calculating variations very rapidly, made him invincible. — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
If Tal would learn to program himself properly, then it would become quite impossible to play against him. — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
Yes, I have played a blitz game once. It was on a train, in 1929. — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
It must be clearly understood that Soviet players do not seek simple systems in the opening, but try to formulate opening systems in which… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
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… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
The boy (then a 12 year old boy named Anatoly Karpov)doesn't have a clue about Chess, and there's no future at all for him… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
Every great master will find it useful to have his own theory on the openings, which only he himself knows, a theory which is… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
Along with my retirement from chess analytical work seems to have gone too. — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
Everything is in a state of flux, and this includes the world of Chess — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
It is peculiar but a fact nevertheless, that the gamblers in chess have enthusiastic followers. — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
The triumph of the analytical movement, which formed in the '30's and '40's, was precisely what earned the Soviet masters the acclaim of chessplayers… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
You have to accustom yourself to practical study at home, you have to devote time to studies, to the history of chess, the development… — Mikhail Botvinnik Copy Share Image
