Trafford Publishing: The Art of Boxing in Chess

Here is the full reference card for this book...

If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

The Art of Boxing in Chess

by Thomas Grady

212 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0114; ISBN 1-55369-301-9; US$22.00, C$32.00, EUR20.80, £14.50

Chess is the sport of intellectual boxing. Once this basic truth is realized the game makes perfect sense. The board is the ring. The fighters are introduced as "White" or "Black". The White fighter throws the first punch sounding the ring of the bell and the Black fighter must defend his position. The ensuing punches reflect the hand movement of each fighter as they spar for position to gain an advantage. The goal of both is to knock out the opponent. Each fighter must throw a mandatory number of punches within a specific amount of time or suffer an automatic defeat. These are the basic rules of the ring.

Read more!

about the book      about the author      sample excerpts or Table of Contents      catalogue info

About the Book

    Chess is the sport of intellectual boxing. Once this basic truth is realized the game makes perfect sense. The board is the ring. The fighters are introduced as " White" or "Black". The White fighter throws the first punch sounding the ring of the bell and the Black fighter must defend his position. The ensuing punches reflect the hand movement of each fighter as they spar for position to gain an advantage. The goal of both is to knockout the opponent. Each fighter must throw a mandatory number of punches within a specific amount of time or suffer automatic defeat. These are the basic rules of the ring.
    In the following chapters of this book I will give the fundamentals of "The Art of Boxing in Chess." I will take you from opening bell to final blow, showing you both the art and the science of boxing in chess. From this theory you will be able to develop your own style and technique based on the strategic principals of chess as boxing. This book combines the positional theory of Aron Nimzovich with the new discovery of boxing fight strategy so that anyone can create and understand effective fight plans. By creating intellectual boxing this book defines the strategic principals of chess. This book throws a powerful left hook into the chin of classical chess theory and delivers a knockout. The new sport of intellectual boxing has arrived!
    This is a "calling card" to all those who take up the great sport of intellectual boxing. From the beginner who has stumbled on the great intellectual gymnasium of a chessboard, to the experienced prizefighter who "pushes wood" without plan or motivation. A challenge to the Masters who play it safe and solid and a creative work to the elite Grandmasters who know it all by instinct.
    When you stop playing chess and start boxing the sport of intellectual boxing appears. Crystal clear and with great beauty the fighters come alive. You suddenly realize you're in command of one of these "Prizefighters". This book shows you the ropes on how to create a "fighter" and understand that fighter is you! The mental discipline being taught in intellectual boxing, Peace, Justice, and equality are values that every mind is attracted to. Through the sport of intellectual boxing these values are taught. Progress is determined by the strength of a fighter's rating. The stronger the rating the stronger the character. Men of strength have strong values.
    This book is the "My System" of its time. It is the only book you will ever need to buy to create sharp, action packed fights. The days of the opening book are gone! Boxing fight strategy starts on move one! The fight doctor will show you new tricks of the trade. Cuts, mid section, recoil, forced and unforced release. These are but a few in the old doctor's black bag. Trust me, this book takes you from a "chessplayer" to an "Intellectual Boxer" in six easy lessons. This book will make you laugh at how much you don't know. Watch Former World Champions fight with beauty and precision. Frame by frame boxing fight strategy is revealed for the first time. The fight doctor knows his stuff. Make the jump, step into the ring and get the surprise of your life. See you in the gym champ.
    Thomas "THE HITMAN" Grady

About the Author

    I am a Chess Theoretician who has worked for the past 12 years on developing intellectual boxing. From this came boxing fight strategy which defines the strategic principles of chess. I combined the positional theories of Nimzovich and created Intellectual boxing the sport of chess. I am now planning a five volume set of books entitled "Intellectual Boxing, Vol. 1- Fighting Styles of the World Champions". The first volume will contain Bobby Fischer, Gary Kasparov, and Mikhail Tal, three great attackers. Each volume will contain two fights of each as both colors in freeze frame action. This will show the styles and technique of each champion. In the process we should see some very beautiful boxing and learn some tricks of the trade.
    I am a student of Zen Buddhism. I meditate and try to create a harmonious life. I believe in perusing the higher values of the mind. The ideal values of peace, justice, and equality. From this blossoms the high-energy state of love. It is this energy that drives creative output. This art is very distinctive, romantic, and calm. Intellectual boxing is my creative work. It turns chess into prizefighting. This defines the strategic principles of chess. This is twelve years of Zen meditation manifested in a book. This book was written with pure joy and pleasure. When you give the energy of love fine art appears! Every aspect of this book was done with care and attention. It is my best effort for better or worse.
    I believe in giving back to the world. 10 per cent of the proceeds from this book will go to the American Leprosy Missions. This is a disease that can be eliminated. The cost of treatment is expensive but nobody should be allowed to suffer from this disease. So this is my starfish. I will do my part to help eliminate this disease.
    I am married to an Asian Love Goddess. She is my true and only one companion. She taught me how to love and I am deeply grateful. xoxo Honey.
    I have two beautiful daughters Tori 21, and Raine 18. Good luck on your journey through life. Your loving Father,
    Thomas "The Hitman" Dad

Table of Contents and Excerpts

PRIZEFIGHTERS BIBLE

1. Introduction 5

Chapter 1- The Basics Of Boxing 7
Chapter 2- Punching Power 11
Chapter 3- Gaining Advantage 26
Chapter 4- The Opening Bell 73
Chapter 5- The Middle Rounds 108
Chapter 6- The Ending 129
Chapter 7- Intellectual Boxing (Live Fights) 155
Chapter 8- Closing Statements 212

Chapter 3

Gaining Advantage

    The young lion sat on his stool giving the stair to his opponent across the ring. Their eyes were locked. They showed no emotion. They both understood that the first one to blink would gain the advantage.

Advantage

    Positional advantage is the cornerstone of boxing. The winning fighter is always the one who out maneuvers his opponent and creates a positional advantage. Every fighter must understand what constitutes an advantage in the ring. The knowledge of advantage allows you to conduct a fight from both a strategic and tactical perspective. In order to Knockout your opponent you must first understand how to gain the advantage on him.
    There are four categories, which give favorable positions or advantage. These are space, force, time, and jab structure. A strong fighter considers these elements on every punch. For an experienced fighter these fundamentals are second nature and constitute the art of boxing in chess. In simple terms getting an advantage is what it's all about. Your ability to get an advantage is your skill level. Your ability to win a technically won fight is called your technique level. In tournament boxing, skill and technique equal a fighters rating. Rating levels run as such. Grandmaster- 2500 and up (Heavyweight), International Master-2400-2499 (Light Heavyweight), Master-2200-2399 (Middleweight), expert-2000-2199 (Welterweight), class A-1800-1999 (Lightweight), class B-1600-1799 (Featherweight), class C-1500-1599 (Bantamweight), class D-0- 1499 (Flyweight).
    We will now cover the four elements of advantage in great detail. Never forget these fundamentals. These are the basics of fight strategy.

Space
    Why is space an advantage? Space is an advantage because it allows one fighter to control more squares in the ring. This allows greater freedom to maneuver his punching power thus creating tactics. When speaking of space we are generally talking about mid section control. The mid section consists of the d and e files. He who controls the mid section has more room to maneuver. This allows a fighter to set up combinations of advantage or tactics. In boxing the white fighter is given more space and time by the gift of the first move. White generally jabs with 1.c4, d4, or e4 thus declaring his stance on the mid section. Black reacts in one of three ways. 1.) Equalizing in space by playing a symmetrical move, 2.) Giving up one square of space and neutralizing whites advantage or 3.) Delaying mid section moves and punching from the flank. This opening reaction is called the stance. The opening stance tips off a fighter as to what style of fight is going to occur.

Page 31

Page 45

Catalogue Information