Pal Benko Quotes

#1. Sometimes players need to gain time on the clock by repeating the position, but most often its purpose is to wear down the opponent psychologically. - Author: Pal Benko

#2. In the Soviets' view, chess was not merely an art or a science or even a sport; it was what it had been invented to simulate: war. - Author: Pal Benko

#3. The business of the endgame is maneuvring to control critical squares, advancing or blockading passed pawns, preparing a breakthrough by the king, or exploiting the subtle superiority of one piece over another. - Author: Pal Benko

#4. Errors have nothing to do with luck; they are caused by time pressure, discomfort or unfamiliarilty with a position, distractions, feelings of intimidation, nervous tension, overambition, excessive caution, and dozens of other psychological factors. - Author: Pal Benko

#5. I always urge players to study composed problems and endgames. - Author: Pal Benko

#6. There is nothing wrong with trying to exploit the natural human tendency to become impatient when forced to play a boring position. - Author: Pal Benko

#7. According to such great attacking players as Bronstein and Tal, most combinations are inspired by the player's memories of earlier games. - Author: Pal Benko

#8. I remember being with a girlfriend who asked me to look over some chess openings with her. I instantly fell asleep. I found that I could always take a nap in any situation by just looking at some opening variation - my eyes would shut right away. - Author: Pal Benko

#9. Since your mental state can have such dramatic effects on your body, obviously your physical condition can affect your mental well-being. It follows that regular physical conditioning should be part of your overall chess training. - Author: Pal Benko

#10. There is no doubt that Bronstein's shrewd understanding of chess psychology was crucial to his success. Without it, his impetuous style and technical flaws might have relegated him to a minor career. - Author: Pal Benko

#11. Under no circumstances should you play fast if you have a winning position. Forget the clock, use all your time and make good moves. - Author: Pal Benko

#12. Agreeing to draws in the middlegame, equal or otherwise, deprives you of the opportunity to practice playing endgames, and the endgame is probably where you need the most practice. - Author: Pal Benko

#13. When you defend, try not to worry or become upset. Keep your cool and trust your position - it's all you've got. - Author: Pal Benko

#14. Typically, in the last round of open tournaments the level of play is markedly lower, the number of blunders higher. - Author: Pal Benko

#15. I had a slightly inferior endgame that probably should have been drawn, but Kortchnoi kept torturing me with little threats until finally, exhausted and exasperated, I made a losing mistake. - Author: Pal Benko

#16. Patience is the most valuable trait of the endgame player. - Author: Pal Benko