Aron Nimzowitsch Quotes

How vain are our fears! I thought to myself. Sometimes we fear that which our opponent (or fate) had never even considered! After this, then, is it any longer worthwhile to rack one’s brain to find new ghosts to fear? No, indeed: All hail optimism! – upon playing Hermanis Mattison after he overlooked an unusual knight manouevre.

The beauty of a move lies not in its appearance but in the thought behind it.

Chess strategy as such today is still in its diapers, despite Tarrasch’s statement ‘We live today in a beautiful time of progress in all fields’. Not even the slightest attempt has been made to explore and formulate the laws of chess strategy.

Ridicule can do much, for instance embitter the existence of young talents.

Strategically important points should be overprotected. If the pieces are so engaged, they get their regard in the fact that they will then find themselves well posted in every respect.

If in a battle, I seize a bit of debatable land with a handful of soldiers, without having done anything to prevent an enemy bombardment of the position, would it ever occur to me to speak of a conquest of the terrain in question? Obviously not. Then why should I do so in chess?

The isolated Pawn casts gloom over the entire chessboard

The knight of QB3 is under obligation, the moment the enemy gives him the chance, of undertaking an invasion of the center by Kn-Q5.

The passed Pawn is a criminal, who should be kept under lock and key. Mild measures, such as police surveillance, are not sufficient

It is a well known phenomenon that the same amateur who can conduct the middle game quite creditably, is usually perfectly helpless in the end game. One of the principal requisites of good chess is the ability to treat both the middle and end game equally well.

The defensive power of a pinned piece is only imaginary

First restrain, next blockade, lastly destroy.