Samurai Chess; Mastering the Martial Art of the Mind

by Raymond Keene Michael Gelb, Raymond D. Keene

Suggests ways of using martial arts principle and strategies, including attack, follow-through, impenetrable defense, timing, distance, surprise and deception, and artful surrender, to improve chess skills

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, Martial Arts

240 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Tommy Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this book a low rating simply because there are many, many much better books about chess available.

This is written, and intended to be a "Sexy" book about chess, which is ridiculous. Sexy things always have a short event horizon; chess is quite the opposite.
Here you will gain; better thinking skills, better mind-body coordination (huh?), and many metaphors-for-success in business, life, the universe and everything.

Argh.

[Baroness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samurai’s, Martial Arts and Chess, Oh my goth! Enjoyed this read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book with the express intention of teaching myself how to play chess. It worked! Not only am I now playing chess regularly, I am teaching my kids to play. I thought there would be a lot of resistance from them but, they love it! The authors do a great job of blending together the strategic thought of two seemingly unrelated areas of study. It turns out that the mental sport of chess and the martial art of Aikido have more in common than one would think at first glance. Both are studies in war and success in war boils down to strategy. I highly recommend this book and will use it time and again as a valued reference.

[Xavier University Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a beginner to chess and looking to learn the game, then this is not the book for you. It does provide an overview of chess and basic rules, but this book is more about strategic thinking in chess, life and business. The authors draw upon the classic, The Book of Five Rings, by Myamoto Mussahi, in applying martial arts methods to chess. The value of this book, while offering new insights into the playing of chess, is its strategic thinking ideas for life and business.

[Anthony Sims · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is divided into four parts: lore on chess and the samurai, an explanation of chess for beginners, mental tactics for preparing, and then finally, its higher-level tactics relating to The Book of Five Rings and greater samurai culture.

The main problem is that for a book supposedly on samurai tactics, the first three sections consume an alarming percentage of the text, ultimately moving this piece from a lean and useful textbook to sub-par edu-pulp. Much of the first section is bloated with fluff more useful in trivia than tournament. For example, the book has dedicated segments on both Chess's Islamic history and Soviet history.

I'll relent that the final section did have some useful points for consideration, but I firmly believe it is too little too late. Had the lattermost chapter of the book been longer, or the former sections been less scatterbrained, I would not feel such passionate contempt. However, as it stands, I feel remorse that I cannot have a refund.

[Dave Ong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book for beginners and advanced players alike. The main draw for this book though is that the ideas/principles it teaches can be applied even to work or your personal life.

The book also touches upon the background of some of the chess worlds biggest games and how each Grand Master played.

The exercises are well designed to and based off some of the classic chess matches.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly easy to understand for the layman, but be ready to exercise those brain muscles. You'll be a contender in no time.

This was a birthday gift from my father which he probably regretted later. It enabled me to finally beat him at Chess. He rarely won a game after that. :-)

[Ross Bishoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way this book attacks chess and presents strategies to the game. I also enjoyed how they present some of the historic games that have been played. An excellent book for chess enthusiasts.

[Joey Craer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strategy. Whether it's Chess, business, life, or football, it's all the same. A cool book with an interesting way of relating samurai traditions and battle techniques to logical thinking and chess.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only way to look at chess. Unless your a grandmaster

[Bobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting book only glanced thru,may be able to download free.