I believe every chess player senses beauty, when he succeeds in creating situations, which contradict the expectations and the rules, and he succeeds in mastering this situation. – Vladimir Kramnik
The development of beauty in chess never depends on you alone. No matter how much imagination and creativity you invest, you still do not create beauty. Your opponent must react at the same highest level. – Vladimir Kramnik
For me art and chess are closely related, both are forms in which the self finds beauty and expression. – Vladimir Kramnik
The strength of the playing ability is much more important. Only if the strength of the opponents playing ability is comparable, does the game develop. – Vladimir Kramnik
I hope you have lost your good looks, for while they last any fool can adore you, and the adoration of fools is bad for the soul. No, give me a ruined complexion and a lost figure and sixteen chins on a farmyard of Crow’s feet and an obvious wig. Then you shall see me coming out strong. – George Bernard Shaw, to Mrs. Patrick Campbell