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Three Moves Ahead: What Chess Can Teach You about Business
In today’s fast-moving Information Age, traditional business-planning tools are rapidly becoming obsolete. Yet the competitive, ever-changing marketplace demands that executives move quickly or risk becoming relics. In Three Moves Ahead, business leader and chess expert Bob Rice offers an entertaining, practical response to this modern dilemma. He shows how the world’s top executives use chess tactics to thrive in the face of incalculable complexities and unexpected change. Written for nonplayers, this witty, smart guide is filled with real-world examples of how to win the game of business by applying chess strategies honed from over 1,000 years of competition. With incisive prose, Rice clearly shows how to use these principles to attack competitors, defend turf, and crack new markets. He demonstrates how a “Strong Square” strategy drove Adobe’s rise from niche player to industry powerhouse, how Kodak is reviving its fortunes with an “Exchange Sacrifice,” and how Google is creating holes in Microsoft’s position with a “Minority Attack.” Most importantly, Three Moves Ahead also shows how to “Stay Ahead On the Clock” and avoid the fate of companies like Polaroid, Gateway, and our dearly departed Ma Bell.
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First published March 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 30, 2008
No relation : )
It is a rare occurrence that I come across a book or two that I insist and demand that you absolutely MUST read. No, I’m not going to lay out a really long argument why, or try to convince you. You should know me enough by now to accept my recommendation like this at face value. I’m not in the habit of throwing down the “must read” tag unless I really mean it and have good reason.
So, stop what you are doing and go read this right now. Drive to the bookstore or get it online, I don’t care. But get it and get it now. Especially if you are in startup mode working on your business plan and trying to raise capital. This is book is critical food for those trying to turn around a business, deal with competition, or break into new markets. Is your “web 2.0” company struggling because you *still* don’t have a business model? You need to read this.
I talk a lot about “light bulbs” going off when I either have an idea, or I read something and suddenly a thought or a feeling I have had suddenly crystallizes with sweet clarity. A-ha! There were a lot of moments like this for me when I was reading this book…things that I had been doing intuitively but unable to express tangibly were suddenly laid out in clear and logical detail.
Every chapter is loaded with insight and compared to chess strategy and philosophy with some great examples about the Grandmasters. Bob Rice is an engaging writer and personal in his style. I felt like I was sitting down with him in a cafe while he imparted his knowledge and expertise…both in business and in the Chess world. It is not often I (or anyone else for that matter) has opportunities like this, and it just underscores the value of the book.
Really, go get this book and read it. It will open your eyes and make you a much better entrepreneur, captain of industry, executive, employee, designer, engineer, and chess player.
It is a rare occurrence that I come across a book or two that I insist and demand that you absolutely MUST read. No, I’m not going to lay out a really long argument why, or try to convince you. You should know me enough by now to accept my recommendation like this at face value. I’m not in the habit of throwing down the “must read” tag unless I really mean it and have good reason.
So, stop what you are doing and go read this right now. Drive to the bookstore or get it online, I don’t care. But get it and get it now. Especially if you are in startup mode working on your business plan and trying to raise capital. This is book is critical food for those trying to turn around a business, deal with competition, or break into new markets. Is your “web 2.0” company struggling because you *still* don’t have a business model? You need to read this.
I talk a lot about “light bulbs” going off when I either have an idea, or I read something and suddenly a thought or a feeling I have had suddenly crystallizes with sweet clarity. A-ha! There were a lot of moments like this for me when I was reading this book…things that I had been doing intuitively but unable to express tangibly were suddenly laid out in clear and logical detail.
Every chapter is loaded with insight and compared to chess strategy and philosophy with some great examples about the Grandmasters. Bob Rice is an engaging writer and personal in his style. I felt like I was sitting down with him in a cafe while he imparted his knowledge and expertise…both in business and in the Chess world. It is not often I (or anyone else for that matter) has opportunities like this, and it just underscores the value of the book.
Really, go get this book and read it. It will open your eyes and make you a much better entrepreneur, captain of industry, executive, employee, designer, engineer, and chess player.
January 2, 2012
I only play chess occasionally, with my son. And I enjoy the game. I run two businesses, which I also enjoy. Some parts of this book were a little fluffy to me. Anyone can draw comparisons between activity X and business. And many do.
And yet there were a few valuable observations that made this book quite worthwhile to me. I particularly learned from the chapter about "Bad Bishops." That part was so good, and applicable to my own circumstances, that I read it twice, and am sharing it with my business partners. Further, it helped me rethink my approach to them and my employees in a meaningful way.
So I recommend this book, and especially that chapter.
And yet there were a few valuable observations that made this book quite worthwhile to me. I particularly learned from the chapter about "Bad Bishops." That part was so good, and applicable to my own circumstances, that I read it twice, and am sharing it with my business partners. Further, it helped me rethink my approach to them and my employees in a meaningful way.
So I recommend this book, and especially that chapter.
February 4, 2020
A lot of business books get platitudinous about chess analogies, but this one gets it.
With an actual background in professional chess and business, Rice is dead on with his analogies. Of course, analogies are never a one-to-one map, but not only does the book give you a strategic business insight if you know even the littlest amount about chess, but may improve your chess game as well (we'll see) as it elucidates fundamental chess concepts in a manner I've struggled with in other chess books.
With an actual background in professional chess and business, Rice is dead on with his analogies. Of course, analogies are never a one-to-one map, but not only does the book give you a strategic business insight if you know even the littlest amount about chess, but may improve your chess game as well (we'll see) as it elucidates fundamental chess concepts in a manner I've struggled with in other chess books.
December 23, 2020
The chess re-imagined into the business world. How a first mover advantage has raised YouTube Facebook and Twitter to the biggest profitable business of all time? Using his experience early on Chess, the author explores the possibilities to create Game Theory like technique to break through the business world.
August 13, 2021
I've read a few chapters of this before I learn to play chess. Now with my new found knowledge of chess and some experience of playing, I would like to read this all over again.
One thing I learn while reading, in chess and in life, it's often hard to see multiple moves ahead. If your feel lost or overwhelmed by the possibilities, just find your next best move, 1 move at a time.
One thing I learn while reading, in chess and in life, it's often hard to see multiple moves ahead. If your feel lost or overwhelmed by the possibilities, just find your next best move, 1 move at a time.
August 27, 2018
This book taught me about chess and about strategy. It is an old book and so the examples are a little dated. That reduces the enjoyment. But the principles are still valid.
July 7, 2019
Very good. Short book. Packed with examples. Not what I expected. More a big picture description of chess, and doesn’t get bogged down in details of chess moves.
August 15, 2022
Well, it was a good book. Some good ideas.
July 1, 2017
Three Moves Ahead by Bob Rice is a solid synthesis regarding the seemingly disparate aspects of business and chess.
Rice reveals many core aspects of Chess theory and gameplay that can and do apply to business in everyday life.
Weaving the reader into myriad historical business ventures – both successes and failures – the author illustrates what made these particular businesses succeed or fail, and goes to underscore the essential Chess tactics that were involved in those scenarios. Furthermore, Rice journeys beyond that to show the reader how even more can be gained from further introspection if one carries out that additional mental weightlifting.
The analogies Rice employed in the book to compare the subjects are rather adequate. Admittedly, some are much stronger than others. Still, Rice gives the reader ample information to chew on regarding the similarities between chess and business.
A noteworthy point is that, even if the reader isn’t an avid player at all or knows nothing of the game of chess, the author explains himself rather well and is easy to follow as he seamlessly flows from topic to topic within the book.
Three Moves Ahead is definitely something to ponder for business-oriented individuals who are seeking ways to grow. But even beyond that, the principles of the book can be applied to other aspects of life depending on how creative the individual uses what Rice delineates in the book.
If you’re looking for an additional book along the same lines, but with more Chess flavor to it, go on to read Garry Kasparov’s How Life Imitates Chess: Making The Right Movies, From the Board To The Boardroom. It’s kind of similar to this book, but from the opposite side of the spectrum. For me it was more enjoyable than this one, although because am coming at it from a chess perspective than a business point of view. Still, both complement each other rather well if you’re looking to see ‘two sides of the same coin’.
Rice reveals many core aspects of Chess theory and gameplay that can and do apply to business in everyday life.
Weaving the reader into myriad historical business ventures – both successes and failures – the author illustrates what made these particular businesses succeed or fail, and goes to underscore the essential Chess tactics that were involved in those scenarios. Furthermore, Rice journeys beyond that to show the reader how even more can be gained from further introspection if one carries out that additional mental weightlifting.
The analogies Rice employed in the book to compare the subjects are rather adequate. Admittedly, some are much stronger than others. Still, Rice gives the reader ample information to chew on regarding the similarities between chess and business.
A noteworthy point is that, even if the reader isn’t an avid player at all or knows nothing of the game of chess, the author explains himself rather well and is easy to follow as he seamlessly flows from topic to topic within the book.
Three Moves Ahead is definitely something to ponder for business-oriented individuals who are seeking ways to grow. But even beyond that, the principles of the book can be applied to other aspects of life depending on how creative the individual uses what Rice delineates in the book.
If you’re looking for an additional book along the same lines, but with more Chess flavor to it, go on to read Garry Kasparov’s How Life Imitates Chess: Making The Right Movies, From the Board To The Boardroom. It’s kind of similar to this book, but from the opposite side of the spectrum. For me it was more enjoyable than this one, although because am coming at it from a chess perspective than a business point of view. Still, both complement each other rather well if you’re looking to see ‘two sides of the same coin’.
February 12, 2017
Bob Rice does a good job on matching different Chess Strategies / Tactics with Corporate World moves from big Tech Companies.
Pros:
The analogies are well made: I never thought that the examples from companies he takes were forced into the Tactics or Strategies, or viceversa.
For any Chess player, the stories the author tells about companies, and the comparisons with the Chess world and the Games he takes as examples will be appealing.
Cons:
The book is a bit outdated. The tech world has gone into many cycles from the time it was written, and some companies are predictions about those companies didn't have a happy ending, even when the author has some positive thoughts about those moves.
The author has calculated some "organizational combinations" that didn't end up in CheckMate in favor of the companies he takes as reference (Kodak, for example), and some of these companies have lost the games, at the end.
Also, as there's no only style of playing Chess, there's no one way of managing companies.
The author seems very assertive sometimes, as if there weren't other ways of solving the organizational challenges he mentions. In chess, you normally reduce a problem to a set of possible solutions and try study most of them.
Those solutions and learnings the author ends up explaining, of course, obey to the author's style of management, and shouldn't be taken as rigorous chess-like analysis.
Pros:
The analogies are well made: I never thought that the examples from companies he takes were forced into the Tactics or Strategies, or viceversa.
For any Chess player, the stories the author tells about companies, and the comparisons with the Chess world and the Games he takes as examples will be appealing.
Cons:
The book is a bit outdated. The tech world has gone into many cycles from the time it was written, and some companies are predictions about those companies didn't have a happy ending, even when the author has some positive thoughts about those moves.
The author has calculated some "organizational combinations" that didn't end up in CheckMate in favor of the companies he takes as reference (Kodak, for example), and some of these companies have lost the games, at the end.
Also, as there's no only style of playing Chess, there's no one way of managing companies.
The author seems very assertive sometimes, as if there weren't other ways of solving the organizational challenges he mentions. In chess, you normally reduce a problem to a set of possible solutions and try study most of them.
Those solutions and learnings the author ends up explaining, of course, obey to the author's style of management, and shouldn't be taken as rigorous chess-like analysis.
December 28, 2023
for someone that has not idea on how to play chess itself and the rules of the game, I found this extremely insightful and surprisingly a great read. I havent heard of Bob Rice prior to this book, but this book has some excellent insights into the world of business, and especially good for me with my interest in online business. Some great case studies and metaphors to the chess game that made sense and true even for me when I dont know how to even play the game
recommended...4 stars
To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
www.Waseem.tv/Blog
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recommended...4 stars
To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
www.Waseem.tv/Blog
👆🏼 P.S -
If you found this review helpful - I’d like to invite you to discover more on our blog. Where the community share some of our most important insights to level up each others knowledge 💡- from experience in studying books like this, training programs, podcasts and much more - visit the blog link above to find out more.
P.P.S 😅 - You probably noticed from my profile that I’ve reviewed a LOT of books over the years now - if you love seeking knowledge like me I’d love to connect with you further as a like minded person (send me a friend invite! 😀) - Also if you are curious - here is my preferred and recommended resource for seeking timeless wisdom - Check it out via the website invite link below 👇🏼 (You’ll be able to claim some awesome books for free 📚)
https://Waseem.tv/GoodReadsBookInvite
February 26, 2016
A CEO and a chess player, Bob Rice gives strategic business advice using chess theory. In a simple yet profound way, he draws parallels between different chess approaches to business situations. The author delivers what he promises, giving ideas even for situations where business seems to be stuck. The book is a good read for CEOs, beginners and seasoned, and people who enjoy strategic thinking.
December 5, 2015
Learned about the game of chess and how a plan of action can hinder your success if you get locked into the plan with tunnel vision. Just like in chess every move you make changes the game. Some times waiting for a perfect plan you will lose the game.
December 11, 2016
The business principles it covers are sound, and any chess aficionado will appreciate the strategic thinking across both domains. I think it might benefit from a stronger cohesive arc - a few parts come across as force fitting chess analogies into business that don't really fit that well.
November 23, 2010
Chess strategy somewhat flimsily applied to business. Interesting anecdotes at times, but overall I enjoyed Kasparov's "How Life Imitates Chess" a lot more.
August 8, 2011
I learned a ton about Chess and not so much about business, I think it's suppose to be the other way around.
April 18, 2013
this book was so fun to read and such sound advice on reason and judgement and guts in the workplace! A real keeper.
July 13, 2013
It was an ok book on business strategy. However, I learned more about the rise of the tech industry than I did about strategy. Not really a have to have book.
September 6, 2014
One of the best books I've read in a long time
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews