I think Russian people are learning that democracy is not an alien thing; it's not a western invention.

I have some strategical vision, I could calculate some few moves ahead and I have an intellect that is badly missed in the country which is run by generals and colonels.

We have to stop the propaganda, the shameful propaganda used by Kremlin to rehabilitate these old types.

Putin can't afford to leave the office because he will be in real danger of being prosecuted for things he and his people did during their stay in power.

I think Russians today have a distorted picture of capitalism, liberal democracy and market economy.

Women, by their nature, are not exceptional chess players: they are not great fighters.

It's quite difficult for me to imagine my life without chess.

The only successor to President Putin is President Putin himself and we could of course dream about President Putin stepping down voluntarily and picking out successor which would be probably as bad as him.

Ukraine had quite serious impact on the many Russians. They could see that ordinary people in Ukraine which is a bordering state, very close to Russia, the people of this state are, they didn't want to tolerate anymore the power abuse by Ukrainian officials.

I think we have very steady records of President Putin, who inherited the country with democratic values.

I think that it's a vital moment now for Russian democracy to convince people that it's only our actions, our joined actions and protests that could force Kremlin to reconsider its plans to abolish presidential elections.

Chess is mental torture.

I wouldn't overestimate the importance of my popularity in the country and abroad but at the end of the day it's not as important because I believe that my presence here could make some difference and it could encourage people.

I've met enough KGB colonels in my life.

I think our chances are not looking great today but the only way to fail for me is just not to try.

More and more people in my country recognise the dangers of having their governors appointed by Putin and having no influence in parliament because Parliament today is also following instructions from Kremlin and no longer represents its people.

The real political life in Russia unfortunately is not in the parliament but on the streets and in the media.

I think Russian people are learning that democracy is not an alien thing; it's not a western invention.

Russian Parliament today is a bunch of puppets that just fall in with the instructions from Kremlin.

There are many ways of showing your protest and discontent without the actions of Kremlin.

I may play some exhibition games so I don't want to quit the game of chess completely. I just decided and it's a firm decision not to play competitive chess anymore.

I'm still number one and I just recently won a major tournament ahead of my toughest rivals so I think I had a few years ahead of me if I decided to stay.

There are many facts showing that Putin's people enriched themselves by using power mechanisms so that's why for them losing power means losing their fortunes.

It didn't take long to recognise the shortcomings of the Soviet regime and to see the values of the free world.

I have some security that could protect me against provocations but of course there are more terrible actions that could not be stopped by any security.

I learned that fighting on the chess board could also have an impact on the political climate in the country.

If you make a decision to fight for future of your own country you have to consider all the consequences.

It was not about losing my mental power; it's about not feeling good about my contribution to the game.

At the end of the day, it's all about money.

Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules and take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.

I organize a chess festival in Hungary. I support chess in schools, and I have my own chess foundation. And I started writing books.

I started playing chess when I was five years old. I learned the moves from my mother, then worked with my father - and later trainers. My style became very technical. I sacrificed a lot of things. I was always hunting for the king, for the mate. I'd forget about my other pieces.

In chess, we have styles - like in any other field. There are also fashions in the kinds of systems that people play. So I'm trying to know my opponent as much as possible.

Putin is like Al Capone.

We've been saying Putin is a dictator for years who doesn't care about the law.

You cannot say, 'Go! Go! Rah! Rah! Good move!' People want some emotion. Chess is an art and not a spectator sport.

Question the status quo at all times, especially when things are going well.

Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.

The experience of democracy is like the experience of life itself-always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been tested by adversity.

In democracy everyone has the right to be represented, even the jerks.

But democracy isn't a state of perfection. It has to be improved, and that means constant vigilance.

Democracy is stronger than terrorism, and we will not cower to the terrorists' campaign of fear.

Our brave soldiers and support personnel are engaged in a battle as important as any the United States has ever before waged, for the success of democracy in Iraq is a crucial test of the ideals this Nation was founded upon.

American and Israel share a special bond. Our relationship is unique among all nations. Like America, Israel is a strong democracy, a symbol of freedom, and an oasis of liberty, a home to the oppressed and persecuted.

Democracy is also a form of worship. It is the worship of Jackals by Jackasses.

Until the control of the issue of currency and credit is restored to government and recognized as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility, all talks of the sovereignty of Parliament and of democracy is idle and futile.

And when we draw lines in the sand with regard to certain basic things that are vital to our interest and to the interest of democracy and our friends around the world, we have to be willing to back that up.

While Kuwait is not a democracy, giving only half the population a voice in their government is not a policy this Congress should support and one that I am glad that Kuwait's leaders are changing.

It's true that the war in Iraq opened a distance in relations between part of Europe and the U.S. government, but our basic ties are stronger than that. We share democracy, free markets and a commitment to Western security. We differ on how to guarantee that security.