The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back.

Why did we spend years and years on the silly discussion of whether chess is an art, a sport or a science? Why dit it take us so long to discover that it’s a way of life?

I love all positions. Give me a difficult positional game, I will play it. Give me a bad position, I will defend it. Openings, endgames, complicated positions, dull draws, I love them and I will do my very best. But totally won positions, I cannot stand them.

Eén ding dat ik geleerd heb in mijn Despi-carrière is dat interclubdiscussies enkel gebaseerd zijn op emoties, vetes en alcohol.

Encore un effort, citoyens de l’Europe, et vous serez européens!