Chess isn’t football or hockey. — Mikhail Tal

When I asked Fischer why he had not played a certain move in our game, he replied: ‘Well, you laughed when I wrote it down!’ — Mikhail Tal

Quiet moves often make a stronger impression than a wild combination with heavy sacrifices. — Mikhail Tal

Of course, errors are not good for a chess game, but errors are unavoidable and in any case, a game without ant errors, or as they say ‘flawless game’ is colorless. — Mikhail Tal

Naturally, the psychological susceptibility of a match participant is significantly higher than a participant in a tournament, since each game substantially changes the over–all position. — Mikhail Tal

Just as one’s imagination is stirred by a girl’s smile, so is one’s imagination stirred by the possibilities of chess. — Mikhail Tal

Fischer is Fischer, but a knight is a knight! — Mikhail Tal

Later, I began to succeed in decisive games. Perhaps because I realized a very simple truth: not only was I worried, but also my opponent — Mikhail Tal

I can take care of myself! But the ‘external barriers’, my opponents, do indeed concern me. — Mikhail Tal

Fischer is the greatest genius to descend from the chess heavens. — Mikhail Tal

Planning anything is hopeless. — Mikhail Tal

If (Black) is going for victory, he is practically forced to allow his opponent to get some kind of well–known positional advantage. — Mikhail Tal

If you wait for luck to turn up, life becomes very boring. — Mikhail Tal

To play for a draw (at any rate with White) is to some degree a crime against chess. — Mikhail Tal

I like to grasp the initiative and not give my opponent peace of mind. — Mikhail Tal

As long as my opponent has not yet castled, on each move I seek a pretext for an offensive. Even when I realize that the king is not in danger. — Mikhail Tal

I go over many games collections and pick up something from the style of each player. — Mikhail Tal

I think that the FIDE leaders have to reconsider the current drawing rules–their advantages aren’t very clear, but their shortcomings are obvious. Artificial drawing of the lots is detrimental for everyone. — Mikhail Tal

I have always thought it a matter of honour for every chess player to deserve the smile of fortune. — Mikhail Tal

First, how to sac my queen, then rook, then bishop, then knight, then pawns. — Mikhail Tal

Playing in your home city is very special. You feel the support and attention. When everything goes well, it’s very great, but when it doesn’t, you might as well turn off your phone: the advices seem endless. — Mikhail Tal