I started playing chess online in earnest more than 25+ years ago. I remain a patzer. About 5 or 6 years ago I inexplicably stopped.

Recently however, clearly in response to the election, I started playing again. I have lost whatever skills I may have had. But like books and baseball, chess helps keep my mind from wandering down paths of despair.

Chess they say reveals character. A study of my chess game would reveal that I am both stubborn and impulsive. I am capable at times of flashes of a poor-man’s disciplined-brilliance, but then I will suddenly and inexplicably rush forward in a mad unplanned attack that could only defeat another patzer like myself.

But still I love the game.

Over the years I have read dozens of books about chess: the history, the philosophy, the strategies. I have owned and read 5 books alone on the English Opening. The only opening I ever play. The only opening I have played for 25+ years (stubbornness).

Another thing I have collected over the years is quotes about the game. Here are some of my favorites.

Some Favorite Chess Quotes

“A player plays in order to live through an adventure. In playing, he overcomes – overcomes himself, circumstances, and fate.” – Anatoly Karpov

“During a game the tremendous burden of all possibilities weighs upon you, along with the passage of time. Therefore we play at full strength only in those moments when, consumed by the process of the battle, we merge with the game to such a degree that everything else ceases to exist.” – Anatoly Karpov

“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.” – Mikhail Tal

“Chess is the art that expresses the science of logic.” – Mikhail Botvinnik

“Chess is life.” –  Bobby Fischer

“It has been said that man is distinguished from animal in that he buys more books than he can read. I should like to suggest that the inclusion of a few chess books would help to make the distinction unmistakable.” – Emmanuel Lasker