Pawns are by no means of equal value. In and near the centre they are at their strongest, and decrease in value the nearer they stand to the edge of the board. Siegbert Tarrasch, The Game Of Chess
Sometimes the best thing to do with a weak pawn is simply let the opponent have it, releasing the pieces from its defence. Robert Leininger, Middlegame Strategy With The Carlsbad Pawn Structure
Never be content simply to learn a series of moves by heart, in the openings or elsewhere, but strive to find the reasons for each move in the series. José Capablanca, A Primer Of Chess
The faster pieces become more powerful as the board becomes open, when they may use their speed and heightened mobility. Dan Heisman, Elements Of Positional Evaluation
Never leave or place a piece loose (ie on an unsupported square) without first looking for a possible fork or pin, and never see an enemy piece loose without doing the same. Cecil Purdy, C.J.S. Purdy's Fine Art Of Chess Annotation And Other Thoughts - Volume Two
The minor pieces play a major role in determining who controls open files. The side with the more-active minor pieces can generally count on gaining access to any files that may open up. Michael Stean, Simple Chess
You cannot be warned too many times about the dangers of playing an opening that you do not really understand because you have just learned it by rote from a book or magazine. Tim Harding, Why You Lose At Chess
If one of your rooks has penetrated onto the opponent's pawn-rank and there are no obstacles in the rook's line-of-fire, then if you have another rook you should always aim to double the firepower. David Bronstein, The Modern Chess Self-Tutor
Most amateurs have little time available for chess and should therefore think twice before adopting sharp, highly analysed variations which require months of detailed work. Nigel Davies, Master Chess: A Course In 21 Lessons
When facing the advance of hanging pawns, the main idea to remember is blockade. Robert Leininger, Middlegame Strategy With The Carlsbad Pawn Structure
At almost every stage in any opening there are several good moves. Because only one may be given in a book does not prove there are no other good ones, nor even that the one given is the best. Cecil Purdy, Chess World magazine
The computer has made it even more important to understand the openings properly, so that even if you are confronted with a new move you can find a good answer. Jesper Hall, Chess Training For Budding Champions
Between rounds in rapidplay you shouldn't analyse but rather get out and stretch your legs alone in the fresh air for 5-10 minutes. Wilf Holloway, Winning Chess Psychology
Any piece placed in the centre, with the exception of the rook, is 'hitting' more squares than it would elsewhere, which means that this is where it possesses its greatest fighting value. Isaac Lipnitsky, Questions Of Modern Chess Theory
If you win a pawn quite early in the game, the fact that you can happily permit exchanges is a most powerful weapon. Peter Griffiths, Better Chess For Club Players
Get the knights into action before both bishops are developed. The advantage obtained in following this law is certainly not great, yet it is distinctly perceptible. Emanuel Lasker, Lasker's Manual Of Chess
The value of two bishops is incontestably superior to that of two knights; two bishops are also stronger than bishop and knight. Savielly Tartakower, A Breviary Of Chess
Often it is necessary to take risks to hope to gain an advantage. However, once the advantage is yours, then take no more risks. Edmar Mednis, From The Middlegame Into The Endgame.