ChrisL64

Quips & Quotes

Nov 5, 2024 ∞

Mihail Marin on the "Information Explosion"



There is an almost unanimous opinion that, in chess as in other fields, the beginning of the third Millenium features an explosion of information without precedent.

To me, this seems a bit exaggerated. I remember that as a kid I found similar statements in many of the opening monographies of the ’80s, the ’70s and even of the ’50s. Believe it or not, a similar “informatic explosion” is described in the introduction of the first edition of the Bilguer, the Chess Encyclopaedia of the 19th century.

—Mihail Marin
—found in Old Wine in New Bottles

"Mihail Marin (ROM)" by Federació d'Escacs Valls d'Andorra is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .

Nov 3, 2024 ∞

Korchnoi v Guevara



When Korchnoi plays chess, he forgets about everything. Tal once told me that before a simultaneous display in Havana, Viktor was told: ‘You will be playing Che Guevara. He is a rather weak player, but he loves chess passionately. He would be delighted if he were able to gain a draw.’ Korchnoi understandingly nodded his head. A few hours later he returned to the hotel. ‘Well?’ Tal inquired. ‘I crushed them all, all without exception!’ ‘And Che Guevara?’ ‘Che Guevara? I also crushed Che Guevara — he hasn’t a clue about the Catalan Opening!’

—Genna Sosonko
—found in The Essential Sosonko

Oct 29, 2024 ∞

Shelby Lyman on Bobby Fischer



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“When he [Fischer] was at the board playing, it was like God was playing,” says Shelby Lyman, who narrated the eventual, inevitable world championship match for public television.

“The purity of his thought, the search for truth, the ability to go to the core of a problem. Bobby never looked for an easy move that would blow away his opponent. He looked for the truth in chess.”

—found in “Life is not a board game” [archive]
—Peter Nicholas and Clea Benson
—The Philadelphia Inquirer (Jan. 18, 2008)