--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you don't know what to do, wait for…" description: "\"When you don't know what to do, wait for your opponent to get an idea; it is sure to be bad.\" — Siegbert Tarrasch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg" --- # When you don't know what to do, wait for your opponent to… ![“When you don't know what to do, wait for your opponent to get an idea; it is sure to be bad.” quote by Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg) > “When you don't know what to do, wait for your opponent to get an idea; it is sure to be bad.” [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When uncertain, let the opponent act first, exposing their plan which may be flawed. **In simple terms:** Wait for opponent to reveal their ideas. Key Takeaway Observe and respond strategically. Themes strategy patience anticipation Mood calm analytical Type advice strategic When to use this quote - competitive sports - business negotiations - personal decisions Key Concepts game theory psychology Questions to Reflect On - What can you learn from observing others' actions? - How does patience improve decision quality? A Different Perspective If opponent's idea is also good, you may miss your own opportunity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [I have no special strategy. I can just wait to see what my opponent offers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fedor-emelianenko/i-have-no-special-strategy-i-can-just-wait-to-see-what-my-opponent/) [Fedor Emelianenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fedor-emelianenko/) > [The biggest meaning and the most important thing is not to give opportunities to give the opponent an idea about how we are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tite/the-biggest-meaning-and-the-most-important-thing-is-not-to-give/) [Tite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tite/) > [All you can do is trust your game and not wait for the opponent to give you the match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-wawrinka/all-you-can-do-is-trust-your-game-and-not-wait-for-the-opponent-to/) [Stan Wawrinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-wawrinka/) > [Just because you know someone would wait for you forever doesn't mean you can let them wait that long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/just-because-you-know-someone-would-wait-for-you-forever-doesn-t-mean/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Single doesnt mean you dont know anything about love, it just means you know enough to wait for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/single-doesnt-mean-you-dont-know-anything-about-love-it-just-means/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being single doesnt mean you dont know anything about love, it just means you know enough to wait for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orebela-gbenga/being-single-doesnt-mean-you-dont-know-anything-about-love-it-just/) [Orebela Gbenga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orebela-gbenga/) > [Being single doesn't mean you don't know anything about love, it just means you know enough to wait for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-single-doesn-t-mean-you-don-t-know-anything-about-love-it-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have so much in me that people don't even know, and I can't wait to offer it to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/normani-kordei/i-have-so-much-in-me-that-people-don-t-even-know-and-i-can-t-wait-to/) [Normani Kordei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/normani-kordei/) > [I see the world in black and grey, I am always alone ever if others are near, people have stood where I am standing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naquitta-faith/i-see-the-world-in-black-and-grey-i-am-always-alone-ever-if-others/) [Naquitta Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naquitta-faith/) > [Don't wait for your time because time doesn't know how to wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/don-t-wait-for-your-time-because-time-doesn-t-know-how-to-wait/) [Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/) > [AWW THEY KNOW ME…WAIT THATS CREEPY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celeste-hartman/aww-they-know-me-wait-thats-creepy/) [Celeste Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celeste-hartman/) > [I know that I have to wait for my opportunity and be patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/i-know-that-i-have-to-wait-for-my-opportunity-and-be-patient/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [To know how to wait. It is the great secret of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-de-maistre/to-know-how-to-wait-it-is-the-great-secret-of-success/) [Joseph de Maistre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-de-maistre/) > [Now I know that if you wait until you think you are ready, you'll wait your whole life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/now-i-know-that-if-you-wait-until-you-think-you-are-ready-you-ll-wait/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“ Text me when you want to see me again, he signed. I'm giving you your space, but know this: I will wait forever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/text-me-when-you-want-to-see-me-again-he-signed-i-m-giving-you-your/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) ## More by Siegbert Tarrasch > [A thorough understanding of the typical mating continuations makes the most complicated sacrificial combinations leading up to them not only not difficult, but almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/a-thorough-understanding-of-the-typical-mating-continuations-makes/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [When you see a good move, sit on your hands and see if you can find a better one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/when-you-see-a-good-move-sit-on-your-hands-and-see-if-you-can-find-a/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [The future belongs to he who has the bishops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/the-future-belongs-to-he-who-has-the-bishops/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [It is not enough to be a good player... you must also play well](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/it-is-not-enough-to-be-a-good-player-you-must-also-play-well/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [I had a toothache during the first game. In the second game I had a headache. In the third game it was an attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/i-had-a-toothache-during-the-first-game-in-the-second-game-i-had-a/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [White has no positional equivalent for the centralized pawn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/white-has-no-positional-equivalent-for-the-centralized-pawn/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [Here are some of the questions and answers to an examination paper in chess that was given some time ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/here-are-some-of-the-questions-and-answers-to-an-examination-paper-in/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [I look one move ahead... the best!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/i-look-one-move-ahead-the-best/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [A form of intellectual productiveness, therein lies its peculiar charm. Intellectual productiveness is one of the greatest joys - if not the greatest one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/a-form-of-intellectual-productiveness-therein-lies-its-peculiar-charm/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [Many have become chess masters - no one has become the master of chess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/many-have-become-chess-masters-no-one-has-become-the-master-of-chess/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [As Rousseau could not compose without his cat beside him, so I cannot play chess without my king's bishop. In its absense the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/as-rousseau-could-not-compose-without-his-cat-beside-him-so-i-cannot/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [I have always had a slight feeling of pity for man who has no knowledge of chess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/i-have-always-had-a-slight-feeling-of-pity-for-man-who-has-no/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [I have always a slight feeling of pity for the man who has no knowledge of chess, just as I would pity the man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/i-have-always-a-slight-feeling-of-pity-for-the-man-who-has-no/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [First-class players lose to second-class players because second-class players sometimes play a first-class game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/first-class-players-lose-to-second-class-players-because-second-class/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [Always put the rook behind the pawn… Except when it is incorrect to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/always-put-the-rook-behind-the-pawn-except-when-it-is-incorrect-to-do/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) [Explore all 39 Siegbert Tarrasch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you don't know what to do, wait for your opponent to get an idea; it is sure to be bad.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Siegbert Tarrasch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for-your-opponent-to-get-an-idea/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for-your-opponent-to-get-an-idea/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/siegbert-tarrasch-16474_ideas_when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for_1892685.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you don't know what to do, wait for your opponent to get an idea; it is sure to be bad.” — Siegbert Tarrasch", "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": "Siegbert Tarrasch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you don't know what to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for-your-opponent-to-get-an-idea/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-wait-for-your-opponent-to-get-an-idea/#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 } } ] } ```