Chess and Jiu Jitsu....

[Ryan Boor]

I know the comparison has been made a millions times but chess are really to sides of the same coin. I recently listened to the Open Mat Radio podcast with Adisa Banjoko. He goes into depth about the benefits of learning about and playing chess and how it helped his jiu jitsu game. I also know that Josh Waitzkin over at Marcelos is a chess ninja. My question is, does anyone here play chess and if so, how, if at all, has it impacted your jiu jitsu game? I used to play a lot with my dad when I was a kid and Im thinkin about pickin it back up again. Thoughts?

[Chris Herzog]

I play chutes and ladders.

[shellysummers]

I actually play chess with one of my instructors sometimes. I used to feel bad beating her so bad, well that was till I started rolling with her. Now not so much.

[sean applegate]

Chess is cool.

[Brent Alvarez]

I was a pretty serious chess player for a spell in my life. Still play it from time to time, but nothing serious anymore. In addition, I have been practicing and preforming magic since I was 19 as a professional. The psychology from the magic learned, as well as the subtleties, and the timing of the misdirection; plays a huge roll in the way I teach and play the game of JiuJitsu. All of the studying and reading I did before each chess match I played. Learning how professional chess players approached the game of chess, and learning to see patterns 20-30 moves a head, has helped me develop a keen eye for repeating patterns from multiple positions in jiujitsu. Factor in a football back ground as a player and coach, and you know have the foundation and determination to be a top level jiujitsu competitor and instructor. Its of my opinion, that who you were before you started learning jiujitsu will make a gigantic impact on your jiujitsu game, and what you chose to do in the sport. You just need to recognize how to put the pieces together.

[Ryan Boor]

I play chutes and ladders.

Love it...must do wonders for your game

[Ryan Boor]

I was a pretty serious chess player for a spell in my life. Still play it from time to time, but nothing serious anymore. In addition, I have been practicing and preforming magic since I was 19 as a professional. The psychology from the magic learned, as well as the subtleties, and the timing of the misdirection; plays a huge roll in the way I teach and play the game of JiuJitsu. All of the studying and reading I did before each chess match I played. Learning how professional chess players approached the game of chess, and learning to see patterns 20-30 moves a head, has helped me develop a keen eye for repeating patterns from multiple positions in jiujitsu. Factor in a football back ground as a player and coach, and you know have the foundation and determination to be a top level jiujitsu competitor and instructor. Its of my opinion, that who you were before you started learning jiujitsu will make a gigantic impact on your jiujitsu game, and what you chose to do in the sport. You just need to recognize how to put the pieces together.

Beautiful.

[Greg W]

Try this, set the chess board next to the mat. Use your round timer for 3 minute rounds 30 sec break. roll for the 3 and then you have 30 sec to make your chess move. If you don't move in 30 sec you lose. If you submit your opponent on your turn, you have the rest of the 3 min and the 30sec to make your move. When you're exhausted it takes great mental strength to make a good move. Save the game from session to session. Some games can take a month!!

[shellysummers]

Now that is some deep stuff there

[Chad Lott]

I've just gotten into chess and just started training with a little consistency at 10th Planet SF. Chess has been really helpful for my Jiu-Jitsu journey.

I play chess with my friends on an app called SocialCHess and I've found it to be really helpful for enforcing the concept of consistency. I've played so many games since New Year's that I've been able to see progress (I'm still a super novice), and that (among other things) inspires me to keep showing up on the mat, even when things are frustrating.

Also, I just started reading Josh Waitzkin's The Art of Learning, and it's a good read. The premise is essentially that maintaining joy and bringing body and mind into alignment by practicing a physical and mental skill will cause both to improve faster.

My username for SocialChess is Chadfredlott if anyone wants to play. I'm not affiliated with the app in anyway