"I have never in my life played the French Defence, which is the dullest of all openings"
- Wilhelm Steinitz
About this Quote
Wilhelm Steinitz's quote is a commentary on the French Defence, a chess opening. He is revealing his viewpoint that the French Defence is the least intriguing of all chess openings. He is suggesting that he has actually never ever played the French Defence in his life, which recommends that he has actually played many other openings and found them to be more amazing and stimulating than the French Defence. This quote shows Steinitz's choice for more dynamic and aggressive openings, which he believed gave gamers more opportunities to beat their challengers. Steinitz's quote also indicates that the French Defence is a passive opening, which does not use players lots of chances to take the effort and acquire an advantage. Steinitz's opinion of the French Defence is shared by numerous chess players, who prefer to play openings that are more vibrant and aggressive.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"