Tigran Petrosian Quotes

Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian was a Soviet Armenian Grandmaster, and World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969. He was nicknamed "Iron Tigran" due to his almost impenetrable defensive playing style, which emphasised safety above all else.Petrosian was a Candidate for the World Championship on eight occasions . He won the World Championship in 1963 , successfully defended it in 1966—against Boris Spassky—and lost it to Spassky in 1969. Thus he was the defending World Champion or a World Championship Candidate in ten consecutive three-year cycles. He won the Soviet Championship four times .

Petrosian is widely known for popularizing chess in Armenia.

✵ 17. June 1929 – 13. August 1984
Tigran Petrosian photo
Tigran Petrosian: 4   quotes 0   likes

Famous Tigran Petrosian Quotes

“Chess is a game by its form, an art by its content and a science by the difficulty of gaining mastery in it. Chess can convey as much happiness as a good book or work of music can.”

Attributed without citation in "Tigran Petrosian's Best Games" http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1014968 at chessgames.com

“Some consider that when I play I am excessively cautious, but it seems to me that the question may be a different one. I try to avoid chance. Those who rely on chance should play cards or roulette. Chess is something quite different.”

Attributed without citation in "Tigran Petrosian's Best Games" http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1014968 at chessgames.com

“I have a weakness for any piece in excess of my opponent's numbers - from pawn to queen.”

Quoted in Vik L Vasilev, "Tigran Petrosian His Life and Games" (Batsford, London, 1974) p. 166.

“They say my chess games should be more interesting. I could be more interesting - and also lose.”

Attributed without citation in "Tigran Petrosian's Best Games" http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1014968 at chessgames.com

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