Chess and Jiu Jitsu

(For those who don't know, BJJ is a martial art very similar to wrestling, but players wear a robe, or gi, and the object is to submit, or, "tap out" an oppentent rather than pin.)

Hi everyone, I've read on several martial arts fourms that the Brazillian sport, Jiu Jitsu, carries certain similarities to the game of chess, in a since that both involve tatical thinking.

Some have even recommended playing chess for BJJ improvment. I'm not sure of this, as my chess playing skills, (which, even though they don't impress anyone here, I'm still likely better than 99% of the general population.) Have yet to help me much in the sport as far as I know, even though I am new to it.

But, in another since, training in BJJ seems to improve my chess skills in a way, or maybe it's only my imagination.

But I'm not only talking about amatuer chess, where you think like,

"I move there then he moves there then I move there then he must move there then I fork him!"

But also actual stratigical planning such as,

"I will push my my pawns on his kingside and force his army to defend while I gain space on the queen side."

If there are any BJJ or Judo people here, or maybe wrestlers, I'd like to hear your opinions.

-Matt

{Final edit: I searched for this topic in the fourms and it was only disscussed once, four years ago.}

I did Tae Kwon Do, and MMA and they helped me be able to judge an opponent but only when we're face to face...on here it is hard to disern whether or not they are comfortable, uncomfortable, etc. etc.

I have heard chess be compared to boxing, (which is they same as mma minus kicks and grappling, as you know) by a quote by Ficher once, I belive. There may be comparisons to any game with involves two players using the mind. 

Also, I feel striking arts resemble the physiological parts of chess the most. But the grappling arts resemble more the tatical operation .

In Thai boxing, you can more easily tell a nervious opponent, and plot out your attack with footwork, but once gloves start flying, there is no real thinking.

However, in BJJ, there is sometimes time to think, and a new move can be executed minutes after learning it.

Yes...and you can also figure out how they fight/play...there is actually a game mostly played in russia, it's called chess boxing...for the first 5 minutes you play chess after that if somone hasn't won you start throwing punches...i'm not making this up as weird as it sounds...look it up.

I've actually heard of that, I'm not surprised they would come up with something like this in russia.

Hey I have studying jiu-jitsu for a couple years now and have about 6 months mat time now that I have the right group and Professor. 

I have thought about this connection for a while now and here is my analysis. 

My experience is that jiu-jitsu is a lot like chess, but your body is the only piece and the mat and space above is your 3rd dimensional playing container. Instead of starting with a fixed amount of pieces, you have your natural abilities (Weight, Strength, Athletics...) Then over time you learn 14 or so major positions + techniques that area not limited to most natural abilities and when applied appropriately trump all natural ability unless defended by another technique.

More advanced practitioners can have 100' or 1000's techniques as well as a refined set and plans of action. They can be moves ahead and lead you right into their trap, with patients and trusting in natural behavior.  

Jiu-jitsu draws many intellectual people of all body types and ages. It is super fun the connect with others on a full body intellectual playing field. 

Give it a try, but shop around and find the right crew for you, cause they will be some of your best friends!

There is no comparison at all In the martial arts you practice techniques until they become instinctive because in an actual fight you have no time to think. In chess you have far more time to think than in a fight, yes even in blitz games. let's see, if he throws a left jab, ill...oops I'm dead.

Obviously you have never "Rolled" with someone "playing" jiu-jitsu.  Yeah it can save your life in an attack, but trying and rolling with someone, I guess you would have to know what it's like to truelly compare. There can be a timer in chess to force quicker intuitive decisions to be more like a bjj match. No punching in training, but can go 100%, I'm not talking UFC.

I completely agree with this analysis and I've thought it for a while. BJJ and chess are my two main hobbies and its amazing how similar they are to each other. Both very strategic in their approach yet able to end the bout with a swift attack.

I feel like it helped me in fencing, but it could be placebo x)

I feel that chess goes better with American Football.

You make a move, press the clock, then pick the clock up and THROW it as hard as you can away from the board. Your opponent has to run after the clock, scoop it up, dash back to the board, sit down, set the clock beside the board, make his move, press the clock, then pick the clock up and THROW it in the opposite direction...

Joshua Waitzkin, the subject of 'Searching For Bobby Fischer', is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, according to his Wikipedia page.

I am sure that specially being able to move as a Knight is beneficial in fencing.

I think its generally more effective to play chess while learning how to shoot a gun

I used to be a rather serious wrestler when I was younger...and I can in fact see how its similar to chess. Especially when you reach the point that all your limbs are rather occupied compared to the inevitable point in chess when you have improved your position as much as you can in the easy ways and now you have to commit to something. But really its only similar in a psychological way...two people not sure what is the correct way to continue and trying to test the waters while being always ready for some explosion. I don't think that besides psychology there is much skill that transfers from one to the other.

Italian Black Belt here

In the beginning of 90's a famous BJJ player in Brazil (Before UFC #1 that was in 93 and was the platform to popularize BJJ around the World) called Wallid Ismail had a DIY t-shirt with the slogan "Jiu-jitsu is a body chess for intelligent people" your post remind this t-shirt and that time.

Chess goes well with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Just play a game of chess against your computer, followed by a round of Kick-Boxing. The computer will probably win the chess game, but you'll cream it at Kick-Boxing.

😂 your legs won’t appreciate you much though