Top 10 Quotes & Sayings by Vasily Smyslov

Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Russian chess player Vasily Smyslov.

Last updated on April 21, 2025.

Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov was a Soviet and Russian chess grandmaster, who was World Chess Champion from 1957 to 1958. He was a Candidate for the World Chess Championship on eight occasions. Smyslov twice tied for first place at the Soviet Championships, and his total of 17 Chess Olympiad medals won is an all-time record. In five European Team Championships, Smyslov won ten gold medals.

Russian - Chess Player | March 24, 1921 - March 27, 2010

Source: Wikipedia

I have frequently stated that I regard chess as an art form, where creativity prevails over other factors.

Vasily Smyslov

The Ruy Lopez occupied a constant place in my opening repertoire. In it is reflected the classical interpretation of the problem of the centre.

Vasily Smyslov

Despite the development of chess theory, there is much that remains secret and unexplored in chess.

Vasily Smyslov

The first chess book that I read was Dufresne's self-tutor, published with Lasker's Common Sense in Chess as an appendix.

Vasily Smyslov

In chess, as in life, a man is his own most dangerous opponent.

Vasily Smyslov

A considerable role in the forming of my style was played by an early attraction to study composition.

Vasily Smyslov

In my opinion, the style of a player should not be formed under the influence of any single great master.

Vasily Smyslov

No fantasy, however rich, no technique, however masterly, no penetration into the psychology of the opponent, however deep, can make a chess game a work of art, if these qualities do not lead to the main goal - the search for truth.

Vasily Smyslov

My study of chess was accompanied by a strong attraction to music, and it was probably thanks to this that from childhood I became accustomed to thinking of chess as an art, for all the science and sport involved in it.

Vasily Smyslov

My fascination for studies proved highly beneficial, it assisted the development of my aesthetic understanding of chess, and improved my endgame play.

Vasily Smyslov

Top 10 Quotes & Sayings by Vasily Smyslov

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