"Let us say the game may be continued in two ways: one of them is a beautiful tactical blow that gives rise to variations that don't yield to precise calculations; the other is clear positional pressure that leads to an endgame with microscopic chances of victory.... I would choose [the latter] without thinking twice. If the opponent offers keen play I don't object; but in such cases, I get less satisfaction, even if I win, than from a game conducted according to all the rules of strategy with its ruthless logic." - Karpov

"I simply developed that universal style which dominated with the arrival of Spassky and then Fischer. But all the same we were different chess players, of course. Both Spassky and Fischer were brilliant at developing and sensing the initiative. In that regard I was, perhaps, a little inferior, but on the other hand I stood out by having excellent technique for converting an advantage, positional sense and an ability to maneuver positionally – in that area I was clearly superior to Spassky, and Fischer, and perhaps everyone, except Petrosian." - Anatoly Karpov

"Pawns not only create the sketch for the whole painting, they are also the soil, the foundation, of any position"

"The ideal in chess can only be a collective image, but in my opinion, it is Capablanca who most closely approaches this."

"It is dangerous to maintain equality at the cost of placing the pieces passively."

"I don't pretend to be anything more than harmony."

"Style, I've got no style."

"I like 1.e4 very much but my results with 1.d4 are better." – Anatoly Karpov
(Not true though according to Chessgames-com)

"If the opponent offers keen play I don't object; but in such cases I get less satisfaction, even if I win, than from a game conducted according to all the rules of strategy with its ruthless logic."

"The fact that a knight is temporarily on the edge of the board is of no great significance."