An impatient person plays differently than a more patient person.
Vladimir Kramnik

At some point he seemed to lose all confidence trying to break down the Berlin Wall. He was still fighting as only Kasparov can, but I could see it in his eyes that he knew he wasn't going to win one of these games.
Vladimir Kramnik

But with the Berlin, I was able to allow him to get near, but not quite near enough, and I knew where to draw the line with the fortresses I had set up.
Vladimir Kramnik

Chess is an infinitely complex game, which one can play in infinitely numerous and varied ways.
Vladimir Kramnik

Even if you play perfectly, a fault of your opponent's can destroy the entire beauty of the game.
Vladimir Kramnik

Every top player has his own style, just as every painter has his own personal signature.
Vladimir Kramnik

For me art and chess are closely related, both are forms in which the self finds beauty and expression.
Vladimir Kramnik

For us chess players the language of artist is something natural.
Vladimir Kramnik

I am convinced, the way one plays chess always reflects the player's personality. If something defines his character, then it will also define his way of playing.
Vladimir Kramnik

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


I don't like to show my emotions at the board, not because they might give something away to an opponent, but because that's my style: I like to keep it to myself.
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 can't be nice to lose your title after so long, but he was very generous.
Vladimir Kramnik

I made a better decision in choosing my team. Sure, I had a bigger choice of players to choose from - but I couldn't have asked for a harder working group of players who did an incredible job.
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

In this respect I suppose I'm the total opposite of Garry. With his very emotive body language at the board he shows and displays all his emotions. I don't.
Vladimir Kramnik

It made a big difference to my match stamina. I couldn't imagine I would have been so energetic during the match - it really gave me a welcomed extra boost!
Vladimir Kramnik

My way of playing is very different and Karpov plays very differently as well.
Vladimir Kramnik

No - I'm quite calm inside during the game for most of the time - not 100%, but generally very calm.
Vladimir Kramnik

Now, two years have passed and the situation is completely different: no one wants to organise this match.
Vladimir Kramnik

Okay, when you start to fight for equality, like Anand did in 1995, you could end up losing game 10, like he did, without putting up any kind of fight.
Vladimir Kramnik