Boris Spassky quotes

Boris Spassky is a Russian chess grandmaster, widely recognized as one of the strongest chess players of the 20th century. His epic World Chess Championship match against Bobby Fischer in 1972 became a symbol of Cold War rivalry. He remains respected as a legendary figure in the history of chess. Here are 22 of his quotes:

When you play Bobby, it is not a question if you win or lose. It is a question if you survive. (Boris Spassky)

Nowadays the dynamic element is more important in chess - players more often sacrifice material to obtain dynamic compensation.

Boris Spassky

When I am in form, my style is a little bit stubborn, almost brutal. Sometimes I feel a great spirit of fight which drives me on.

Boris Spassky

Nowadays there is more dynamism in chess, modern players like to take the initiative. Usually they are poor defenders though.

Boris Spassky

We can compare classical chess and rapid chess with theatre and cinema - some actors don't like the latter and prefer to work in the theatre.

Boris Spassky

Time control directly influences the quality of play.

Boris Spassky

Bobby Fischer has an enormous knowledge of chess and his familiarity with the chess literature of the USSR is immense.

Boris Spassky

For example, computer defends well, but for humans its is harder to defend than attack, particularly with the modern time control.

Boris Spassky

Recently I saw Kasparov and he looked to me as still young and potent champion.

Boris Spassky

I think that the World Champion should try to defend the quality of play more than anyone else.

Boris Spassky

Nowadays young people have great choice of occupations, hobbies, etc, so chess is experiencing difficulties because of the high competition. Now it's hard to make living in chess, so our profession does attract young people. (Boris Spassky)

The place of chess in the society is closely related to the attitude of young people towards our game.

Boris Spassky

The Soviet Union was an exception, but even there chess players were not rich. Only Fischer changed that.

Boris Spassky

I try to help developing junior chess. When I lived in USSR, I got a lot of free help from very good coaches - now I am trying to repay that debt.

Boris Spassky

I don't want ever to be champion again.

Boris Spassky

I also follow chess on the Internet, where Kasparov's site is very interesting.

Boris Spassky

I don't play in tournaments, but I follow some.

Boris Spassky

In my country, at that time, being a champion of chess was like being a King. At that time I was a King - and when you are King you feel a lot of responsibility, but there is nobody there to help you.

Boris Spassky

When I played Bobby Fischer, my opponent fought against organizations - the television producers and the match organizers. But he never fought against me personally. I lost to Bobby before the match because he was already stronger than I. He won normally.

Boris Spassky

We were like bishops of opposite color.

Boris Spassky

Nowadays it would be reasonable to have an annual world championship. (Boris Spassky)

On the other hand, chess is a mass sport now and for chess organisers shorter time control is obviously more attractive. But I think that this control does not suit World Championship matches.

Boris Spassky

Boris Spassky

Boris Spassky - Image

Occupation: Russian Celebrity
Born: January 30, 1937
Died: February 27, 2025
Quotes count: 22
Wikipedia: Boris Spassky

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