If we keep an optimistic view about the future, we definitely have to look for our place. Not to be redundant. And that means we have to emphasize what makes us unique.

I've met enough KGB colonels in my life.

If you wish to succeed, you must brave the risk of failure.

A grandmaster needs to retain thousands of games in his head, for games are to him what the words of their mother tongue are to ordinary people, or notes or scores to musicians.

It was not about losing my mental power; it's about not feeling good about my contribution to the game.

I think Russians today have a distorted picture of capitalism, liberal democracy and market economy.

Losing can persuade you to change what doesn't need to be changed, and winning can convince you everything is fine even if you are on the brink of disaster.

At the end of the day, it's all about money.

Excelling at chess has long been considered a symbol of more general intelligence. That is an incorrect assumption in my view, as pleasant as it might be.

Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules and take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.

When I was preparing for one term's work in the Botvinnik school I had to spend a lot of time on king and pawn endings. So when I came to a tricky position in my own games I knew the winning method.

The strength within you, divine soul, can survive any situation.

After all, hope is a form of planning.

Good writing demands self-discipline and constant learning

No insignificant person was ever born.

Ben locked his eyes on mine for a long moment. Then, “How?” “How do you think?” I smiled, then slapped him full across the face

I'm just open to new experiences. I've never really settled down into one art. I like to be nomadic with my art.

It is a tremendous act of violence to begin anything. I am not able to begin. I simply skip what should be the beginning.

What is an epigram? A dwarfish whole, its body brevity, and wit its soul.

My dad has no control over who works with me. Me, me and me alone has to take responsibility for anything.

Even when you have three strikes, you're still not out. There is always something else you can do.