--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has been stated that a characteristic…" description: "\"It has been stated that a characteristic mark of a combination is surprise; surprise for the defender, not for the assailant, since otherwise the combi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a28/eugene-znosko-borovsky-29977_characteristics_it-has-been-stated-that-a-characteristic_1524337.png" --- # It has been stated that a characteristic mark of a… ![“It has been stated that a characteristic mark of a combination is surprise; surprise for the defender, not for the assailant, since otherwise the combination will probably be unsound.” quote by Eugene Znosko-Borovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a28/eugene-znosko-borovsky-29977_characteristics_it-has-been-stated-that-a-characteristic_1524337.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a28/eugene-znosko-borovsky-29977_characteristics_it-has-been-stated-that-a-characteristic_1524337.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a28/eugene-znosko-borovsky-29977_characteristics_it-has-been-stated-that-a-characteristic_1524337.png) > “It has been stated that a characteristic mark of a combination is surprise; surprise for the defender, not for the assailant, since otherwise the combination will probably be unsound.” [Eugene Znosko-Borovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-znosko-borovsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A surprise attack works only if the opponent is unprepared; the attacker must avoid predictable patterns to stay sound. **In simple terms:** Surprise works on the defender, not the attacker. Key Takeaway Create unpredictable tactics. Themes strategy surprise soundness Mood analytical cautious Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - tournament play - opening preparation - mid‑game attacks Key Concepts chess theory tactics risk management Questions to Reflect On - When does a surprise move become a liability? - How can you balance creativity with sound play? A Different Perspective Overusing surprise can become predictable and risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assailant Combination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assailant-combination-5642064/) [Characteristic Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characteristic-mark-5642066/) [Characteristics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characteristics/) [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Combination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combination/) [Combination Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combination-surprise-5642063/) [Defenders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defenders/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Surprise Defender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise-defender-5642065/) ## Related quotes > [A man could be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, powerlines, and right-angled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/a-man-could-be-a-lover-and-defender-of-the-wilderness-without-ever-in/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Gossip is never fatal until it is denied. 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