Morphy and Capablanca had enormous talent, Steinitz was very great too. Alekhine was great, but I am not a big fan of his. Maybe it's just my taste. I've studied his games a lot, but I much prefer Capablanca and Morphy. Alekhine had a rather heavy style, Capablanca was much more brilliant and talented, he had a real light touch. Everyone I've spoken to who saw Capablanca play still speak of him with awe. If you showed him any position he would instantly tell you the right move. When I used to go to the Manhattan Chess Club back in the fifties, I met a lot of old-timers there who knew Capablanca, because he used to come around to the Manhattan club in the forties - before he died in the early forties. They spoke about Capablanca with awe. I have never seen people speak about any chess player like that, before or since. Capablanca really was fantastic. But even he had his weaknesses, especially when you play over his games with his notes he would make idiotic statements like 'I played the rest of the game perfectly.' But then you play through the moves and it is not true at all. But the thing that was great about Capablanca was that he really spoke his mind, he said what he believed was true, he said what he felt.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker evaluates past chess players and praises Capablanca highly.
- In plain terms
- I studied many great players but love Capablanca most.
- What can you take from it?
- Style preferences vary among experts.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who is your favorite chess player?
Another view
The quote is cut off abruptly at the end.
More from Bobby Fischer
I'm not afraid of Spassky. The world knows I'm the best. You don't need a match to prove it.
Permalink to quote #11 Yeah, there are too many Jews in chess. They seem to have taken away the class of the game. They don't seem to dress so nicely, you know. That's what I don't l…
Permalink to quote #13 I have a minus score (against Spassky). I lost 3 and drew 2. I was better than him when I lost those games. I pressed for the win. My overall tournament record…
Permalink to quote #10
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