Vladimir Kramnik Quotes

Chess is like body-building. If you train every day, you stay in top shape. It is the same with your brain - chess is a matter of daily training.

When I was a child I liked the games of Capablanca, and later I was captivated by Alekhine's play.

It is rightly said that the most difficult thing in chess is winning a won position

Objectivity consists in understanding that the only one who never makes a mistake is the one who never does anything.

I go to bed at 4 a. m. Almost all chessplayers do.

For me art and chess are closely related, both are forms in which the self finds beauty and expression.

I am convinced, the way one plays chess always reflects the player's personality. If something defines his character, then it will also define his way of playing.

Playing rapid chess, one can lose the habit of concentrating for several hours in serious chess. That is why, if a player has big aims, he should limit his rapidplay in favour of serious chess.

In chess one cannot control everything. Sometimes a game takes an unexpected turn, in which beauty begins to emerge. Both players are always instrumental in this.

Chess is so deep, I simply feel lost.

But with the Berlin, I was able to allow him to get near, but not quite near enough, and I knew where to draw the line with the fortresses I had set up.

Chess is an infinitely complex game, which one can play in infinitely numerous and varied ways.

My very first book was a games collection of Anatoly Karpov. On the whole I was attracted by positonal play with some tactics, and already then I was aiming for universality.

In the current FIDE World Championship, on the knock-out system, weaker players have good chances. Those, who in a long match would practically have no chance, here may creep through.

I believe every chess player senses beauty, when he succeeds in creating situations, which contradict the expectations and the rules, and he succeeds in mastering this situation.

No - I'm quite calm inside during the game for most of the time - not 100%, but generally very calm.

Chess is a matter of daily training.

Computers have changed the world of chess.

When I speak of the beauty of a game of chess, then naturally this is subjective. Beauty can be found in a very technical, mathematical game for example. That is the beauty of clarity.

I don't like to show my emotions at the board, not because they might give something away to an opponent, but because that's my style: I like to keep it to myself.

In this respect, I suppose I'm the total opposite of Garry [Kasparov]. With his very emotive body language at the [chess]board he shows and displays all his emotions. I don't.

It made a big difference to my match stamina. I couldn't imagine I would have been so energetic during the match - it really gave me a welcomed extra boost!

An impatient person plays differently than a more patient person.

Even if you play perfectly, a fault of your opponent's can destroy the entire beauty of the game.

Only he, who penetrates into the depth of the game, can express his personality in it.

For us chess players the language of artist is something natural.

Every month I look through some ten thousand games, so not as to miss any new ideas and trends.

Okay, when you start to fight for equality, like Anand did in 1995, you could end up losing game 10, like he did, without putting up any kind of fight.

I made a better decision in choosing my team. Sure, I had a bigger choice of players to choose from - but I couldn't have asked for a harder working group of players who did an incredible job.

Every top player has his own style, just as every painter has his own personal signature.

With the Berlin I was able to set up a fortress that he could come near but not breach.

Intellectual effort gives me enormous pleasure

In games against humans, you often win because the opponent blunders a piece, and you can often survive when you do it yourself. Against the computer, you make only one mistake - the last one.

Now, two years have passed and the situation is completely different: no one wants to organise this match.

In this respect I suppose I'm the total opposite of Garry. With his very emotive body language at the board he shows and displays all his emotions. I don't.