Chess for me is not a game, but an art. Yes, and I take upon myself all those responsibilities which an art imposes on its adherents.
Decisions are the doorway to change.
If you talk about it, it's a dream, if you envision it, it's possible, but if you schedule it, it's real.
Ten years from now you'll laugh at whatever's stressing you out today. So why not laugh now?
No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn't trying.
I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.
Don't surround yourself with people who just affirm you. Surround yourself with people who challenge you.
I am proud that my inner circle of friends has never been defined by race but by the content of their character. Any former teammate or anyone who has met me can attest to this and I pride myself on not being a judgemental person.
You don't go from a Yugo to a Benz, back to a Yugo.
I didn't like university life much at Bologna. The subjects I studied - economics and business administration - didn't interest me. I wanted to make films. I was glad when I was graduated. Yet it's odd; on graduation day, I was overcome with a terrible sadness. I realized that my youth was over and now the struggle had begun.
I came at last to a recognition of myself as, in part, a Tom Sawyer who wanted everything done according to the rules of romantic fiction, and complicated simple solutions with his absurd adolescent, book-born nonsense.