I Play Against Pieces -

is the title of the acclaimed collection of best games by Serbian Grandmaster Svetozar Gligorić . Beyond being a book title, the phrase encapsulates Gligorić's core chess philosophy: a commitment to objective, principled play that disregards the psychological profile of the opponent. The Philosophy

: He believed in playing what he believed was objectively best, rather than altering his strategy based on an opponent's perceived weaknesses. I Play Against Pieces (Batsford Chess Book) - Amazon.com I Play Against Pieces

: Unlike players like Mikhail Tal, who often used "psychological" tactics to unsettle opponents, Gligorić focused solely on the logical demands of the position on the board. is the title of the acclaimed collection of

: This mindset made Gligorić a symbol of gentlemanly conduct. His respect for the game and his opponents led FIDE to establish the Svetozar Gligoric Trophy for sportsmanship. I Play Against Pieces (Batsford Chess Book) - Amazon

The phrase "I play against pieces" (or "It's chess pieces, not a man I play against") reflects a to the game.