--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who wants to educate himself in Chess…" description: "\"He who wants to educate himself in Chess must evade what is dead in Chess... the habit of playing with inferior opponents; the custom of avoiding diffi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg" --- # He who wants to educate himself in Chess must evade what… ![“He who wants to educate himself in Chess must evade what is dead in Chess... the habit of playing with inferior opponents; the custom of avoiding difficult tasks; the weakness of uncritically taking over variations or rules discovered by others; the vanity which is self-sufficient; the incapacity…” quote by Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg) > “He who wants to educate himself in Chess must evade what is dead in Chess... the habit of playing with inferior opponents; the custom of avoiding difficult tasks; the weakness of uncritically taking over variations or rules discovered by others; the vanity which is self-sufficient; the incapacity for admitting mistakes; in brief, everything that leas to standstill or to anarchy.” [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑improvement in chess requires avoiding complacency, seeking challenges, and being open to mistakes and new ideas. **In simple terms:** Avoid easy opponents and stay open to learning. Key Takeaway Seek challenging opponents. Themes growth learning humility Mood thoughtful instructive Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - career - education - skill development - personal growth Key Concepts self‑improvement risk management Questions to Reflect On - What challenges do you avoid? - How can you embrace mistakes? A Different Perspective Avoiding difficulty can hinder progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admitting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admitting/) [Admitting Mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admitting-mistakes/) [Anarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anarchy/) [Avoiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoiding/) [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Chess Evade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess-evade-3016989/) [Chess Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess-habit-571187/) [Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs/) [Dead Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-chess-3016988/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Difficult task](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-task/) [Difficult tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-tasks/) [Educate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educate/) [Educate Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educate-chess-3016990/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Incapacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incapacity/) [Inferior Opponents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inferior-opponents-3016991/) [Inferiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inferiors/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Opponents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opponents/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sufficient/) [Standstill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/standstill/) [Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficient/) [Tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tasks/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/) [Variation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/variation/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [By playing at Chess then, we may learn: First: Foresight... Second: Circumspection... Third: Caution...And lastly, we learn by Chess the habit of not being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-playing-at-chess-then-we-may-learn-first-foresight-second-2/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I'm not better than the next trader, just quicker at admitting my mistakes and moving on to the next opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/i-m-not-better-than-the-next-trader-just-quicker-at-admitting-my/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [Admitting your mistakes seems like giving up, but more than that, we need it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/admitting-your-mistakes-seems-like-giving-up-but-more-than-that-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [... the approach of admitting our errors, besides being most true to a gospel of grace, is also most effective at expressing who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/the-approach-of-admitting-our-errors-besides-being-most-true-to-a/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Admitting your mistakes is not a sign of weakness. It shows you have the courage to know your wrong, and that you have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-decamp/admitting-your-mistakes-is-not-a-sign-of-weakness-it-shows-you-have/) [Aaron DeCamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-decamp/) > [“To err is human, to admit it is divine. It is absolutely human to commit mistakes. To admit, without any guilt—you are simply admitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/to-err-is-human-to-admit-it-is-divine-it-is-absolutely-human-to/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [Admitting our mistakes is a sign of maturity and wisdom. We learn more from knowing our mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/admitting-our-mistakes-is-a-sign-of-maturity-and-wisdom-we-learn-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Public health relies on public trust. Admitting mistakes and explaining prompt corrective actions engender that trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/public-health-relies-on-public-trust-admitting-mistakes-and/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [I'm not one that hides from making mistakes or admitting mistakes, and I've been doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-m-not-one-that-hides-from-making-mistakes-or-admitting-mistakes-and/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [We're often afraid of looking at our shadow because we want to avoid the shame or embarrassment that comes along with admitting mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/we-re-often-afraid-of-looking-at-our-shadow-because-we-want-to-avoid/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“If we misread the blueprint of our life, we need not be ashamed of backtracking on our chosen options. Admitting to mistakes may make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/if-we-misread-the-blueprint-of-our-life-we-need-not-be-ashamed-of/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [I'm not one that hides from making mistakes or admitting mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-m-not-one-that-hides-from-making-mistakes-or-admitting-mistakes/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [There is no harm in admitting one's mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherlyn-chopra/there-is-no-harm-in-admitting-one-s-mistakes/) [Sherlyn Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherlyn-chopra/) > [“Instead of admitting mistakes, he lashes out, demeans, and insults others—often projecting by accusing others of doing what he himself has done or is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/instead-of-admitting-mistakes-he-lashes-out-demeans-and-insults/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“the question is not “Are you flawed?” It’s “What do you do about your flaws?” Do you learn from your mistakes so you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/the-question-is-not-are-you-flawed-it-s-what-do-you-do-about-your/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) ## More by Emanuel Lasker > [I have known many chess players, but among them there has been only one genius - Capablanca!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/i-have-known-many-chess-players-but-among-them-there-has-been-only/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [In mathematics, if I find a new approach to a problem, another mathematician might claim that he has a better, more elegant solution. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/in-mathematics-if-i-find-a-new-approach-to-a-problem-another/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [Steinitz was a thinker worthy of a seat in the halls of a university. A player, as the world believed he was, he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/steinitz-was-a-thinker-worthy-of-a-seat-in-the-halls-of-a-university/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [The range of circumstances in which it is possible to presuppose the presence of a combination is very limited. The presence of such circumstances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/the-range-of-circumstances-in-which-it-is-possible-to-presuppose-the/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [To refer to the oft mooted question, "Which piece is stronger, the Bishop or the Knight?" it is clear that the value of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/to-refer-to-the-oft-mooted-question-which-piece-is-stronger-the/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [The hardest game to win is a won game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/the-hardest-game-to-win-is-a-won-game/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [... in itself the title of world champion does not give any significicant advantages, if it is not acknowledged by the entire chess world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/in-itself-the-title-of-world-champion-does-not-give-any-significicant/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [Chess is, above all, a fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/chess-is-above-all-a-fight/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [Loss generally occurs when a player overrates his advantage or for other reasons seeks to derive from a minute advantage a great return such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/loss-generally-occurs-when-a-player-overrates-his-advantage-or-for/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [To find the right plan is just as hard as looking for its sound justification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/to-find-the-right-plan-is-just-as-hard-as-looking-for-its-sound/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [I have added these principles to the law: get the Knights into action before both Bishops are developed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/i-have-added-these-principles-to-the-law-get-the-knights-into-action/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [By some ardent enthusiasts Chess has been elevated into a science or an art. It is neither; but its principal characteristic seems to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/by-some-ardent-enthusiasts-chess-has-been-elevated-into-a-science-or/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [The attack is that process by means of which you remove obstructions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/the-attack-is-that-process-by-means-of-which-you-remove-obstructions/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [The most intelligent inspection of any number of fine paintings will not make the observer a painter, nor will listening to a number of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/the-most-intelligent-inspection-of-any-number-of-fine-paintings-will/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [Without error, there is no brilliancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/without-error-there-is-no-brilliancy/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) [Explore all 50 Emanuel Lasker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) ## More Admitting quotes > [I think there's a lot of power in admitting that you don't know everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williamson/i-think-there-s-a-lot-of-power-in-admitting-that-you-don-t-know/) [Kit Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williamson/) > [“The truth is I do love you. Admitting that means opening myself up to all that pain when you leave. After you realize this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-moran/the-truth-is-i-do-love-you-admitting-that-means-opening-myself-up-to/) [Kelly Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-moran/) > [“Admitting we're not heroic is when we're the most heroic of all”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dorian-scrubs/admitting-we-re-not-heroic-is-when-we-re-the-most-heroic-of-all/) [John Dorian- scrubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dorian-scrubs/) > [“Maybe that is what growing up was all about. It was about changing your mind. Opening it right up. Admitting to yourself that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/maybe-that-is-what-growing-up-was-all-about-it-was-about-changing/) [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) > [Admitting weakness seems to be such a severe psychic threat for Bush that when he makes a mistake it's safer just to reinforce it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-brown/admitting-weakness-seems-to-be-such-a-severe-psychic-threat-for-bush/) [Tina Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-brown/) > [Another person is, at the heart of it, unknowable. And if you cannot know a person enough to always guess what they’re capable of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/another-person-is-at-the-heart-of-it-unknowable-and-if-you-cannot/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [The first step is always admitting you have a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-first-step-is-always-admitting-you-have-a-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only tough thing is admitting to my wife how much a certain article of clothing costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taye-diggs/the-only-tough-thing-is-admitting-to-my-wife-how-much-a-certain/) [Taye Diggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taye-diggs/) > [There is a difference between admitting and confessing. Admitting involves softening, making excuses for things that cannot be excused; confessing just names the crimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/there-is-a-difference-between-admitting-and-confessing-admitting/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Nobody likes me!" "I wish I could like you, Charlie Brown, but I can't... If I were to like you, it would be admitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/nobody-likes-me-i-wish-i-could-like-you-charlie-brown-but-i-can-t-if/) [Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/) > [how can he love me then not? He went,he ran. And I cannot bring him back. Yet I left the door metaphorically wide open,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freya-north/how-can-he-love-me-then-not-he-went-he-ran-and-i-cannot-bring-him/) [Freya North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freya-north/) > [First and foremost, be faithful to your superiors, keep all promises, refuse the friendship of all who are not like you; and if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/first-and-foremost-be-faithful-to-your-superiors-keep-all-promises/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Oust me if you want, but if I stepped down, I would be admitting guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-temer/oust-me-if-you-want-but-if-i-stepped-down-i-would-be-admitting-guilt/) [Michel Temer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-temer/) > [I think that lawyers are terrible at admitting that they're wrong. And not just admitting it; also realizing it. Most lawyers are very successful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/i-think-that-lawyers-are-terrible-at-admitting-that-they-re-wrong-and/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Courageous? Courageous would have been admitting weakness and leaving Dauntless, no matter what shame accompanied it. Pride is what killed Al, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/courageous-courageous-would-have-been-admitting-weakness-and-leaving/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Browse all 302 Admitting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admitting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He who wants to educate himself in Chess must evade what is dead in Chess... the habit of playing with inferior opponents; the custom of avoiding difficult tasks; the weakness of uncritically taking over variations or rules discovered by others; the vanity which is self-sufficient; the incapacity for admitting mistakes; in brief, everything that leas to standstill or to anarchy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emanuel Lasker" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess-must-evade-what-is-dead-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Admitting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess-must-evade-what-is-dead-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/emanuel-lasker-13485_admitting_he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess_1930316.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who wants to educate himself in Chess must evade what is dead in Chess... the habit of playing with…” — Emanuel Lasker", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Emanuel Lasker", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who wants to educate himself...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess-must-evade-what-is-dead-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/he-who-wants-to-educate-himself-in-chess-must-evade-what-is-dead-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```