Customer Reviews

Samurai Chess: Mastering the Martial Art of the Mind

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

SAMURAI CHESS by Mr. Michael J. Gelb and Mr. Raymond Keene puts things in perspective for the neophyte chess player and gives one a basis of comparison with a familiar theme - the martial arts. I've poured through several chess books which were all too advanced and gave skant attention to a beginner chess player, but as a dedicated Judo and Jiu-Jitsu practioner, I was finally able to absorb some basic chess concepts through this book and the author's ability to draw a martial arts analogy. Yet the only flaw is that the Japanese already consider the Asian game of 'Go' a martial art equal to Karate or Kendo and they give those 'Go' players hard won Dan or Black Belt ratings; and this is hardly appropriate to Western chess, which is, after all, only a game!

I found this book so compelling that I read it through in practically one sitting. Why, then, three stars instead of more?

Because the *chess* advice is very general, and in fact at times so general as to be suspect ("always capture an enemy piece if it is safe to do so"); and as a *chess* book it is at a rather elementary level, spending a lot of time on the rules and basics of movement.

Comparing chess to martial arts is not new, but here it is done in a more comprehensive, appealing, and gripping manner. In terms of *chess* advice this translates to a handful of general principles, such as "seize the initiative," which the book does not illustrate very well with practical examples or "how-to" advice. This has disappointed many previous reviewers and will likely disappoint many readers.

Instead, to get the most from this book, you need to think in terms of changing your philosophy of play, and turn to other books to help you do that. If you are a passive player, as I was for a long time, take the "seize the initiative" principle for what it's worth and then go out and study other books on tactics and the art of attacking. In other words, use this book as a guideline for how you think about your approach to chess, and seek detailed knowledge elsewhere.

Especially useful is the wholistic approach this book espouses. Information on diet, physical conditioning, meditation, pre-game physical exercises (they recommend stretching before play, something I had never before considered) can all be found elsewhere but nowhere in a *chess* book; and though you might initialy be skeptical, it makes a great deal of sense.

Should you buy this book? I think so. It is relatively inexpensive on the used market, and if approached correctly, will teach you many things which apply to chess, even if it won't teach you a lot about chess itself.

Truly an interesting book to a person how does both Martial Arts and chess (As a side note a have been studying both now for a number of years). The theme was interesting because one of my Teachers actually talks like a chess person when going about how to get in an attack in sparring although he does not play chess, so I have seen this connection before.

As a straight chess book it would be on a beginner to an intermediate level. If you take into consideration the philosophies of the book though it becomes more profound. I have read most of the books they use as exerpts and found it to really help blend these two worlds together.

It has been said that If you read The Book of Five Rings once you will get something out of it. Twice, you will get something different again. Etc. These books (The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings) are also business books and found in this section if you go to Indigo. So not only is this book talking about chess, it discusses Martial Arts, Business and Life as a Whole (ie. "The Way").

If you can look at this book in this light then it becomes much more than "just a chess book", it becomes something of a reminder of how to live life.

Perhaps I lost a couple people there but it boils down to is there are some people who all they do is chess, this book could be an introduction to a new way of looking at things, and new philosophies. So Enjoy!

I am shocked that anyone (besides the authors) believes that this book deserves more than one star! I'm not saying Samurai Chess is worthless, virtually no book is totally devoid of value, but there really is no "strategy" here that you can't find elsewhere with far analysis and annotations. "Seizing the iniative" "Follow through" "Code of Bushido" etc. I can only shake my head and say that if you like a little mysticism, Japanese martial arts platitudes, mixed with your chess feel free. I'd rather play against you than someone who'd read Vukovic's Art of Attack or Nimzo's "My System."

This book will only appeal to the absolute beginner--almost half of its entire content is the basic rules of the game. It presents an interesting method of looking at chess, but it is basically devoid of strategic value. After reading Nimzowitsch's My System, this book pales in comparison.

I've been dabbling at chess for nearly forty years, and this is the chess book I've been waiting for all my life. To me, chess is more than just a game; it can be a metaphor for life, and its principles apply indirectly to most everything else in life. This book focuses on seven Samurai principles, which are also seven chess principles, which are also seven principles of living life effectively.

If you don't care about life but just want to get good at chess, this may not be the book for you. If you do care about life but insist that chess has nothing to do with it, skip this title. But if you see--or want to see--a strong connection between chess and life, give this wonderful book a good read.

This is a fascinating book for the beginner in chess, and one that the more proficient in chess may find interesting, too. It not only covers the basics in chess, but also deals with some of the philosophical ideas that one might apply to chess playing. This is a creative synthesis by authors Michael Gelb and Raymond Keene of the teachings of Samurai warriors and the basic layout of chess - an intriguing idea, given the martial nature of chess playing.

Chess can be many things to different people. One legal scholar described chess as an exercise in petty larcency (taking or stealing pieces!); many military strategists have seen chess as a system whereby one sharpens skills for thinking ahead, well past the next move tactically. This would be more in the spirit of what Gelb and Keene are doing here.

As the authors state, 'We are not likely to wield a Samurai sword in a life-or-death situation. Samurai swordsmanship will always remain beyond our personal experience.' So, how does one get this kind of experience, if one wants it? For Gelb and Keene, this can come from chess. 'Chess offers the experience of real victory, without killing, and the parallel experience of real defeat, without having to die.' Thought and skill are key in both Samurai and chess practice.

Gelb and Keene develop the idea of martial arts mindset and the seven Samurai principles to be applied to chess, but this is in many ways designed for the beginning chess player (the more experienced player will be able to gloss over the second section, 'White Belt Chess', which develops basic movements and elementary middle-game and end-game ideas). The authors give a good brief synopsis of the history of the game of chess, from earliest history through to the tempestuous twentieth century, showing the transformation from a slow-moving game inspired by Indian and Islamic cultures to the rapid-fire pace of many master games today.

It is perhaps in the application of the Samurai principles that this book reaches its height. The Seven Samurai principles are really an extended analogy to the game, but one can see immediately, even as a chess novice, how the seven principles might be applied:

1) Take the Initiative: Attack
2) Follow Through: Go for the Knockout
3) Impenetrable Defense: No Openings
4) Timing: Control the Tempo
5) Distance: Control the Position
6) Master Surprise and Deception
7) Yield to Win: The Art of Sacrifice

There are many good insights, and this book is a fun one to read. If one is expecting a systematic tome on how to play better chess, this is not the book. However, if one loves the game of chess and is interested in a new perspective, this book is one that is fitting.

An enjoyable "How to Go for the Juggler" type. Interesting tips applicable from the martial arts. RW

I have read a few of the reviews, and all seem to think this is a beginner book. Actually, there are better beginner books out there that will rapidly improve one's game (if you are among the beginners)- such as Seirawan's Microsoft Press series. The underlying idea of Eastern Philosophy's place in chess is quite revolutionary and has been accepted by Josh Waitzkin (the real "Searching for Bobby Fisher" kid) as taking his game to the next level. If one really uses the lessons from this book I think they will be pleased - I know I was. The system really challenges the player to throw away some tradition rules and gain new insight (especially in the middle game). The book does have its place in an overcrowded genre and is not too heavy for the beginner. I feel the fault of this book is that it does not delve quite deep enough - does not force the reader to apply the principles in practice.

No argument from me (ELO 2023) about the "7 Samurai Principles" - they seem sound enough. The problem remains: HOW do we translate them into effective chessplaying? Telling us to seize the initiative, follow through, sacrifice to win, etc., is fine - but the players need more help in the clinches. Fun to read but not especially likely to improve your chess.