Even if you play perfectly, a fault of your opponents can destroy the entire beauty of the game. – Vladimir Kramnik
I feel that my relationship with Kasparov now is much the same as it had been before the match – good. As for his reaction, well it cant be nice to lose your title after so long, but he was very generous. – Vladimir Kramnik
In chess one cannot control everything. Sometimes a game takes an unexpected turn, in which beauty begins to emerge. Both players are always instrumental in this. – Vladimir Kramnik
For me art and chess are closely related, both are forms in which the self finds beauty and expression. – 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