To acquire a reputation of being a dashing player at the cost of losing a game. - Siegbert Tarrasch

Many have become Chess Masters, no one has become the Master of Chess.

Chess is a form of intellectual productiveness, therein lies, its peculiar charm. Intellectual productiveness is one of the greatest joys -if not the greatest one- of human existence. It is not everyone who can write a play, or build a bridge, or even make a good joke. But in chess everyone can, everyone must, be intellectually productive and so can share in this select delight. I have always a slight feeling of pity for the man who has no knowledge of chess, just as I would pity for the man who has no knowledge of love. Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.

Before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middle game.