| Chess is a game of substitute war, so you will win | | | | Be Wise But Play the Fool -- make your enemy |
| more chess games by taking advantage of the | | | | underestimate you. |
| ancient wisdom distilled from the art of military | | | | Provoke Strong Emotion -- upsetting or angering your |
| strategies. This includes a collection of strategies | | | | opponent can encourage them to make mistakes. You |
| compiled in China at least 1,500 years ago. | | | | must learn to remain calm so that you don't fall into this |
| These strategies are taught to school children all over | | | | trap. |
| China, Japan and probably much of the rest of Asia | | | | The Empty City -- when you are in a weak position, |
| even today. | | | | emphasize your vulnerability, to confuse your opponent. |
| If you think Chinese children learn the 36 Strategies as | | | | Chain Links -- this simply refers to using a chain of |
| "classic literature" the same way American children | | | | interlinked strategies to attain your goal. |
| must read Mark Twain . . . you are too foolish and | | | | Of course, real chess masters apply tactics against |
| naive to be allowed near a serious chess tournament. | | | | their enemies away from as well as on the chess |
| You also should never try to do business in Asia, but | | | | board. Boris Spassky was reportedly a master at |
| that's another article. | | | | keeping a poker face during games, so that his |
| You must first of all understand that the essence of | | | | opponents didn't know whether he was feeling good |
| warfare is deceit. This is challenging in chess, because | | | | or bad about his moves, his position or his plans. |
| both players can see the entire board and all the | | | | However, Bobby Fischer made so many demands |
| pieces. | | | | during their famous tournament that he was able to |
| You must learn to make moves that advance your | | | | Provoke Strong Emotion. |
| strategies and tactics without revealing them to your | | | | In MORTAL GAMES: THE TURBULENT GENIUS OF |
| opponent until it's too late. Of course, this is easier to | | | | GARRY KASPAROV Fred Waitzkin relates how |
| write than to pull off in an actual chess game. | | | | during one of his world championship tournaments |
| And it does require you to work, study and plan. | | | | against Anatoly Karpov, Kasparov's business partner |
| Your opponent can see the chessboard -- but not | | | | Andrew Page played a "dirty trick" to upset Karpov. |
| what's going on inside your mind. | | | | They were all flying from New York City to Lyon |
| You must learn to use that to your advantage. It | | | | France. The tournament organizers had given First |
| requires a mental attitude and preparation which | | | | Class tickets to both Kasparov and Karpov and |
| studying the 36 Strategies can help you acquire. | | | | Economy class tickets to their trainers. Page bought |
| Some of the strategies to adapt to your chess game | | | | Business Class tickets for Garry's grandmaster |
| include: | | | | trainers, paying for them out of his own pocket. |
| Surrounding Wei to Rescue Zao -- do not attack your | | | | Karpov's group was made to feel angry and resentful |
| enemy where and when he is strong. Avoid direct | | | | of their inferior accomodations. |
| confrontation. Aim for their weak points. | | | | Later, Karpov may have gotten a blow of his own in. |
| Make the Enemy Work While You Wait at Leisure -- | | | | Gata Kamsky proposed that their chess organization |
| when you are in a weak position, delay the | | | | change the rules so that defending world |
| confrontation. | | | | championships would have to compete to play in the |
| Watch the Fire Burning Across the River -- Exercise | | | | world championship tournament just like all other |
| patience and allow favorable events to progress. | | | | contenders, instead of simply defending their title |
| The Plum Tree Sacrifices for the Peach Tree -- this is | | | | against the winner of the playoffs. |
| an ancient stress tactic. Sacrifice a piece for the | | | | It was designed to make defending champion |
| greater good of your game. | | | | Kasparov angry, and one of his people told Waitzkin |
| Walk the Sheep Home Just Because It Is There -- | | | | the idea probably came from Karpov who was |
| take advantage of all opportunities to gain an | | | | friends with Kamsky. Gata was a teenager at the time |
| advantage. | | | | and not likely to propose such a major rule change on |
| Trade Your Brick for a Piece of Jade -- if you want to | | | | his own. But if Karpov had proposed it directly, it would |
| trade pieces to your advantage, convince your | | | | just have made him look bad, since he was the world's |
| opponent your brick is worth more than their piece of | | | | number two player and would therefore most benefit |
| jade. | | | | from it. |
| Pretend to Be a Pig to Eat the Tiger -- make your | | | | Bottom line: learn the 36 Strategies if only to recognize |
| enemy believe you are weak so they will attack and | | | | when your opponent tries to use one of them against |
| fall into your trap. | | | | you. |