Whilst thinking about this article I discovered that any form of combat is simply a different expression of exactly the same thing. This holds true whether it is expressed mentally or physically. I could (and in the future might) write similar comparisons with any other combat sport. For now the two are BJJ and Chess.

1) There is an opening, a middle game and an endgame: In an evenly fought match between two tough competitors you are likely to see all three of these phases. A small advantage from the opening might be increased or converted in the middle game with the killing stroke in the end game. Sometimes a player can win in the opening or middle game due to their brilliance and aggression. There has been many a time when the world chess champion’s preparations have been so complete that victory was known in the first few moments. I am sure there are points in Xande Ribeiro’s career where he achieved a tap out in the first minute because his opponent couldn’t handle his opening preparations.

2) You can only attack from an advantageous position: The first world champion of chess – Wilhelm Stienitz, formulated this rule and it holds as true today as it did then. The reason is simple: If you are playing a game where everything is known (not with any luck like in backgammon) then if you have no advantage in an area, your attacking forces wont be enough to overcome the defensive resources. In BJJ there is also a phrase – “Position, THEN submission”, and the reasons are the same; to be able to execute a move against a resisting opponent of comparable skill you need leverage etc.

3) Space is a good thing to “own”. In chess if you have more space that means that your pieces are freer to move around, they communicate better, and your options are more varied and fruitful. In BJJ, if you control the space your opponent occupies, you are in a better position to attack or improve your positioning. Whenever someone has obtained mount or side control, what is the first thing that you’re supposed to do? Create space so that you can begin your escape.

4) Initiative. The initiative in chess is when the opponent is forced to respond to real threats. The effect this has is that one side is better able to dictate the action and hence might obtain some long term benefit from this. I say “might” because the initiative is a transient advantage; the opponent might find some way to stabilize and nullify the initiative. The great attacking players always have a wonderful sense of initiative and will try not to let it go without the opponent shedding some blood. In BJJ the initiative refers to those periods when one fighter is causing the other fighter to react to his movement. The person with the initiative of course has to be careful because of the transient nature of this particular advantage – his adversary might reestablish guard or something similar, nullifying the initiative and bringing everything back to square one. The best attacking BJJ players have always shown an amazing ability to hold onto the initiative, not letting it go without the opponent paying some dear price.

5) Think in combinations. As a beginning chess player it is common to simply attack a piece and hope the opponent doesn’t see it. As you get more familiar with the game and practice against much stronger opposition you soon learn that this isn’t a fruitful approach and you have to looks several moves ahead, attempting to force your opponent into only move situations. As a beginner in BJJ, it is common to simply try to grab the arm of an opponent (for example) and attempt an armlock. Of course this approach doesn’t work on higher rated opponents, and you soon learn that there has to be some sort of set up for these attacks to become effective. Eventually, you are stringing attacks together in an attempt to force the initiative, and then the finish.

6) Attention to detail. One of the things that will strike you most strongly studying the chess games of the great masters is the attention to detail. Some meticulous attack is only possible because of a precautionary move played 20 moves ago. The grandmaster understanding that for everything to be truly successful against a resisting opponent, they can leave no space to breathe. In BJJ, you might be able to execute a move against a novice without good technique – but again, once you reach a little higher you discover that positioning your arm a little to the left, or grabbing your leg a little deeper etc. is what is needed to finish successfully.

7) To become really good, you must build a very stable foundation. An obvious sentiment, but one that is consistently forgotten in both circles. In chess, it is necessary to really become familiar with the basic goals and strategies of the opening and understanding the strategic details of some common opening sequences. A common problem amongst beginning chess players is to get caught up in memorizing a “devastating” opening by rote memorization.

This might provide them with some success against low level opponents who don’t know any better, but as soon as someone deviates from what he expects his position will quickly deteriorate.

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you really need to understand the basic movements, escapes, submissions etc. before exploring the latest in x-guard theory or whatever may happen to be the flavor of the month.

The inspiration for these divergences from proper learning are the same as well. Some very high level player has achieved great success with their unorthodox and unexpected attacks and people interested in a quick fix try to emulate them. What they forget, is that no matter how unorthodox these players are at that high level, they are profound masters of basics and fundamentals.

Regards,

Robert Bentley

www.creativeexercise.com