Bobby Fischer's Best Chess Quotes

Bobby Fischer is easily the most famous chess player of all time. When Bobby spoke about chess naturally people listened! Here are ten of his famous quotes.

1. "1.e4 - Best by test."

You can find a few games where Fischer started the game with 1.c4, or 1.Nf3, but without question, the most played first move by Bobby was 1.e4.

"1.e4 - Best by Test!"

2. "I like the moment I crush a man's ego."

Just play over a handful of Bobby Fischer's games, and you can easily sense his strong desire to win. Just take a look at the game below, and you see the search for perfection and a strong desire for victory.

To play over more games like the one above click on the link! -> Bobby Fischer Games.

3. "All that matters on the chessboard is good moves."

Fischer was known not to believe in changing one's style for a certain opponent, but rather he searched for the best moves in each position. 

4. "Chess is a matter of delicate judgement, knowing when to punch and how to duck."

Sounds like Bobby was taking advice from a boxing trainer. Fischer's search for the best move on every move helped to keep this strategy is balance. 

5. "Don't even mention losing to me. I can't stand to think of it."

Probably a mindset that any chess player who becomes world champion possesses. 

6. "Chess demands total concentration."

Fischer was known to complain about tournament conditions throughout his career. He did not want anything to have influence over his concentration during the game.

7. "There are tough players and nice guys, and I'm a tough player."

Fischer was all business at the chess board. For his opponents it did not matter if he knew you, liked you, played you before - Fischer was there to win. 

8. "My opponents make good moves too. Sometimes I don't take these things into consideration."

This one hits home for anyone who plays chess. It is easy to get too into your own ideas and not consider your opponent's moves. Many games have been lost due to this oversight. 

9. "The turning point in my career come with the realization that Black should play to win instead of just steering for equality."

This realization made Fischer one of the most dangerous opponents for anyone regardless if he was White or Black.

10. "Nothing is so healing as the human touch." 

Fischer carried a hostility towards the world throughout his life, but the soft human side of Bobby Fischer was noted in his last words before passing away in the above quote.

Have a favorite Fischer quote? Don't forget to leave your choice in the comments below!