"I have a weakness for any piece in excess of my opponent's numbers - from pawn to queen."

“In those years, it was easier to win the Soviet Championship than a game against 'Iron Tigran'”

“Some consider that when I play I am excessively cautious, but it seems to me that the question may be a different one. I try to avoid chance. Those who rely on chance should play cards or roulette. Chess is something quite different.”

“They say my chess games should be more interesting. I could be more interesting - and also lose.”

“Chess is a game by its form, an art by its content and a science by the difficulty of gaining mastery in it. Chess can convey as much happiness as a good book or work of music can.”

“It is to Petrosian's advantage that his opponents never know when he is suddenly going to play like Mikhail Tal”