Favorite chess quotes

• Combinations have always been the most intriguing aspect of Chess. The masters look for them, the public applauds them, and the critics praise them. It is because combinations are possible that Chess is more than a lifeless mathematical exercise. They are the poetry of the game; they are to Chess what melody is to music. They represent the triumph of mind over matter” – Reuben Fine

• When Spassky offers you a piece, you might as well resign then and there. But when Tal offers you a piece, you would do well to keep playing, because then he might offer you another, and then another, and then ... who knows?" -Narjdorf

• Whenever you have to make a rook move and both rooks are available for said move- you should evaluate which rook to move and, once you have made up your mind... MOVE THE OTHER ONE! - Panov

"I've been checked before"  -attributed to Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (reacting to weaker opponents who check for the sake of checking)

I love that one, it's so true .

To repeat an earlier forum post of mine:

"Take his Queen, Mate him later!"  - IM Donald Byrne

This comment alone had me stop looking for romantic mating nets like an idiot and start believing in playing pac-man with free material and winning through attrition.

No Knights, No Attack, No Mate. -Mikhail Tal

One bad move nullifies forty good ones.

Horowitz

I know that from personal experience, unfortunately. :(

Check Mate.

To err is human.

stockfish

"You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one." - GM Mikhail Tal

“Tactics is knowing what to do when there’s something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there’s nothing what to do.”
– Savielly Tartakower

There are many exceptional chess quotes by various players but I like this one the most.