Overview
Garry Kasparov was the highest-rated chess player in the world for over twenty years and is widely considered the greatest player that ever lived. In How Life Imitates Chess Kasparov distills the lessons he learned over a lifetime as a Grandmaster to offer a primer on successful decision-making: how to evaluate opportunities, anticipate the future, devise winning strategies. He relates in a lively, original way all the fundamentals, from the nuts and bolts of strategy, evaluation, and preparation to the subtler, more human arts of developing a personal style and using memory, intuition, imagination and even fantasy. Kasparov takes us through the great matches of his career, including legendary duels against both man (Grandmaster Anatoly Karpov) and machine (IBM chess supercomputer Deep Blue), enhancing the lessons of his many experiences with examples from politics, literature, sports and military history. With candor, wisdom, and humor, Kasparov recounts his victories and his blunders, both from his years as a world-class competitor as well as his new life as a political leader in Russia. An inspiring book that combines unique strategic insight with personal memoir, How Life Imitates Chess is a glimpse inside the mind of one of today's greatest and most innovative thinkers.
Reviews
Praise for How Life Imitates Chess : His insights are thought-provoking and possess more value than the bromides of so many business books. 'Why did I move my bishop?' may be a question with more lessons for success than 'Who moved my cheese?' In the course of this lesson-giving, Mr. Kasparov touches on many of the most famous moments of his career, including his series of matches against Karpov from 1984 to 1990 and his battles with the Deep Blue chess computer in the 1990s. As a chess player, Mr. Kasparov was more than just a world champion. How Life Imitates Chess provides more evidence that he was, and still is, a great chess intellectual....If life truly does imitate chess and Mr. Kasparov somehow overcomes the Russian establishment to reach the summit of his new profession, his latest move may have been a winning one for himself, his countrymen and the rest of the world. -- Wall Street Journal Riveting...[Kasparov] makes his debut as a management guru. If retired jocks can write inspirational books, I see no reason to exclude retired chess luminaries from the field of management advice, and executives will find Kasparov's prescriptions useful. The man is a genius, for Pete's sake. -- Portfolio, reviewed by Roger Lowenstein A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy. -- Publishers Weekly [Kasparov is] John Naisbitt with a queen's gambit twist. -- The New Yorker It's very rare to have a window onto a unique and fascinating strategic mind. It's even more rare to receive a set ofvery specific, pragmatic ideas to enhance your own game, and your own business success. Garry Kasparov provides you with both, in a totally accessible, highly engaging, one-of-a-kind volume. -Adrian J. Slywotzky, Director of Oliver Wyman, and author of The Upside When the game's greatest champion gives advice on integrating your chess skills into your business life (as well as the rest of your life), the wise player listens closely. ...an evocative tapestry of inspiration and guidance. To support his account, [Kasparov] draws extensively from history, philosophy, art, science, sports, and general culture. He intersperses references, across the intellectual spectrum, from and to the likes of Lao Tzu, Charles Darwin, Marcel Duchamp, George Washington, Franz Kafka, Jack Welch, Michael Jordan, and, of course, Vladimir Putin, his chief political adversary. The result is a volume of cogently packaged lessons that, beyond its import and message, is a pleasure to read...It's clear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place. Probably, nobody else has all of Kasparov's special skill sets. Yet, after reading How Life Imitates Chess, with its solid advice to follow one's own path, it's eas to see how the road to personal growth and eventual fulfillment might suddenly come into view, sharp and focused. -- Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Life PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker One of the most formidablebrains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. ---- Wall Street Journal Praise for How Life Imitates Chess : Riveting...[Kasparov] makes his debut as a management guru. If retired jocks can write inspirational books, I see no reason to exclude retired chess luminaries from the field of management advice, and executives will find Kasparov's prescriptions useful. The man is a genius, for Pete's sake. -- Portfolio, reviewed by Roger Lowenstein A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy. -- Publishers Weekly It's very rare to have a window onto a unique and fascinating strategic mind. It's even more rare to receive a set of very specific, pragmatic ideas to enhance your own game, and your own business success. Garry Kasparov provides you with both, in a totally accessible, highly engaging, one-of-a-kind volume. -Adrian J. Slywotzky, Director of Oliver Wyman, and author of The Upside When the game's greatest champion gives advice on integrating your chess skills into your business life (as well as the rest of your life), the wise player listens closely. ...an evocative tapestry of inspiration and guidance. To support his account, [Kasparov] draws extensively from history, philosophy, art, science, sports, and general culture. He intersperses references, across the intellectual spectrum, from and to the likes of Lao Tzu, Charles Darwin, Marcel Duchamp, George Washington, Franz Kafka, Jack Welch, Michael Jordan, and, of course, Vladimir Putin, his chief political adversary. The result is a volume of cogently packaged lessons that, beyond its import and message, is a pleasure to read...It'sclear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place. Probably, nobody else has all of Kasparov's special skill sets. Yet, after reading How Life Imitates Chess, with its solid advice to follow one's own path, it's eas to see how the road to personal growth and eventual fulfillment might suddenly come into view, sharp and focused. -- Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Life PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker One of the most formidable brains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. ---- Wall Street Journal PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker One of the most formidable brains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. ---- Wall Street Journal PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker One of the most formidable brains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. ---- Wall Street Journal PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia-- a coalition of Putin' s most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker One of the most formidable brains of our era... .fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. - - -- Wall Street Journal
Praise for How Life Imitates Chess : His insights are thought-provoking and possess more value than the bromides of so many business books. 'Why did I move my bishop?' may be a question with more lessons for success than 'Who moved my cheese?' In the course of this lesson-giving, Mr. Kasparov touches on many of the most famous moments of his career, including his series of matches against Karpov from 1984 to 1990 and his battles with the Deep Blue chess computer in the 1990s. As a chess player, Mr. Kasparov was more than just a world champion. How Life Imitates Chess provides more evidence that he was, and still is, a great chess intellectual....If life truly does imitate chess and Mr. Kasparov somehow overcomes the Russian establishment to reach the summit of his new profession, his latest move may have been a winning one for himself, his countrymen and the rest of the world. -- Wall Street Journal Riveting...[Kasparov] makes his debut as a management guru. If retired jocks can write inspirational books, I see no reason to exclude retired chess luminaries from the field of management advice, and executives will find Kasparov's prescriptions useful. The man is a genius, for Pete's sake. -- Portfolio, reviewed by Roger Lowenstein A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy. -- Publishers Weekly [Kasparov is] John Naisbitt with a queen's gambit twist. -- The New Yorker It's very rare to have a window onto a unique and fascinating strategic mind. It's even more rare to receive a set ofvery specific, pragmatic ideas to enhance your own game, and your own business success. Garry Kasparov provides you with both, in a totally accessible, highly engaging, one-of-a-kind volume. -Adrian J. Slywotzky, Director of Oliver Wyman, and author of The Upside When the game's greatest champion gives advice on integrating your chess skills into your business life (as well as the rest of your life), the wise player listens closely. ...an evocative tapestry of inspiration and guidance. To support his account, [Kasparov] draws extensively from history, philosophy, art, science, sports, and general culture. He intersperses references, across the intellectual spectrum, from and to the likes of Lao Tzu, Charles Darwin, Marcel Duchamp, George Washington, Franz Kafka, Jack Welch, Michael Jordan, and, of course, Vladimir Putin, his chief political adversary. The result is a volume of cogently packaged lessons that, beyond its import and message, is a pleasure to read...It's clear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place. Probably, nobody else has all of Kasparov's special skill sets. Yet, after reading How Life Imitates Chess, with its solid advice to follow one's own path, it's eas to see how the road to personal growth and eventual fulfillment might suddenly come into view, sharp and focused. -- Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Life PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker One of the most formidablebrains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. ---- Wall Street Journal
Praise for How Life Imitates Chess : <br> His insights are thought-provoking and possess more value than the bromides of so many business books. 'Why did I move my bishop?' may be a question with more lessons for success than 'Who moved my cheese?' <p><br>In the course of this lesson-giving, Mr. Kasparov touches on many of the most famous moments of his career, including his series of matches against Karpov from 1984 to 1990 and his battles with the Deep Blue chess computer in the 1990s. <p><br>As a chess player, Mr. Kasparov was more than just a world champion. How Life Imitates Chess provides more evidence that he was, and still is, a great chess intellectual....If life truly does imitate chess and Mr. Kasparov somehow overcomes the Russian establishment to reach the summit of his new profession, his latest move may have been a winning one for himself, his countrymen and the rest of the world. -- Wall Street Journal <p><br> Riveting...[Kasparov] makes his debut as a management guru. If retired jocks can write inspirational books, I see no reason to exclude retired chess luminaries from the field of management advice, and executives will find Kasparov's prescriptions useful. The man is a genius, for Pete's sake. -- Portfolio, reviewed by Roger Lowenstein <br> A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy. -- Publishers Weekly <br> <br> [Kasparov is] John Naisbitt with a queen's gambit twist. -- The New Yorker <p><br> It's very rare to have a window onto a unique and fascinating strategic mind. It's even more rare to receive a set ofvery specific, pragmatic ideas to enhance your own game, and your own business success. Garry Kasparov provides you with both, in a totally accessible, highly engaging, one-of-a-kind volume. -Adrian J. Slywotzky, Director of Oliver Wyman, and author of The Upside <br> <br> When the game's greatest champion gives advice on integrating your chess skills into your business life (as well as the rest of your life), the wise player listens closely. ...an evocative tapestry of inspiration and guidance. To support his account, [Kasparov] draws extensively from history, philosophy, art, science, sports, and general culture. He intersperses references, across the intellectual spectrum, from and to the likes of Lao Tzu, Charles Darwin, Marcel Duchamp, George Washington, Franz Kafka, Jack Welch, Michael Jordan, and, of course, Vladimir Putin, his chief political adversary. The result is a volume of cogently packaged lessons that, beyond its import and message, is a pleasure to read...It's clear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place. Probably, nobody else has all of Kasparov's special skill sets. Yet, after reading How Life Imitates Chess, with its solid advice to follow one's own path, it's eas to see how the road to personal growth and eventual fulfillment might suddenly come into view, sharp and focused. -- Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Life <p><br>PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: <br> Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics. -- New Yorker <br> One of the most formidablebrains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight. -- The Washington Post <br> The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin. ---- Wall Street Journal <br>
Praise for ""How Life Imitates Chess"": ""His insights are thought-provoking and possess more value than the bromides of so many business books. 'Why did I move my bishop?' may be a question with more lessons for success than 'Who moved my cheese?'"" In the course of this lesson-giving, Mr. Kasparov touches on many of the most famous moments of his career, including his series of matches against Karpov from 1984 to 1990 and his battles with the Deep Blue chess computer in the 1990s. As a chess player, Mr. Kasparov was more than just a world champion. ""How Life Imitates Chess"" provides more evidence that he was, and still is, a great chess intellectual....If life truly does imitate chess and Mr. Kasparov somehow overcomes the Russian establishment to reach the summit of his new profession, his latest move may have been a winning one for himself, his countrymen and the rest of the world.""--""Wall Street Journal"" ""Riveting...[Kasparov] makes his debut as a management guru. If retired jocks can write inspirational books, I see no reason to exclude retired chess luminaries from the field of management advice, and executives will find Kasparov's prescriptions useful. The man is a genius, for Pete's sake.""--""Portfolio,"" reviewed by Roger Lowenstein ""A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy.""--""Publishers Weekly "" ""[Kasparov is] John Naisbitt with a queen's gambit twist."" -- ""The New Yorker"" ""It's very rare to have a window onto a unique and fascinating strategic mind. It's even more rare to receive a set ofvery specific, pragmatic ideas to enhance your own game, and your own business success. Garry Kasparov provides you with both, in a totally accessible, highly engaging, one-of-a-kind volume.""-Adrian J. Slywotzky, Director of Oliver Wyman, and author of ""The Upside "" ""When the game's greatest champion gives advice on integrating your chess skills into your business life (as well as the rest of your life), the wise player listens closely. ...an evocative tapestry of inspiration and guidance. To support his account, [Kasparov] draws extensively from history, philosophy, art, science, sports, and general culture. He intersperses references, across the intellectual spectrum, from and to the likes of Lao Tzu, Charles Darwin, Marcel Duchamp, George Washington, Franz Kafka, Jack Welch, Michael Jordan, and, of course, Vladimir Putin, his chief political adversary. The result is a volume of cogently packaged lessons that, beyond its import and message, is a pleasure to read...It's clear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place. Probably, nobody else has all of Kasparov's special skill sets. Yet, after reading ""How Life Imitates Chess,"" with its solid advice to follow one's own path, it's eas to see how the road to personal growth and eventual fulfillment might suddenly come into view, sharp and focused.""""--""Bruce Pandolfini, ""Chess Life"" PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: ""Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics.""--""New Yorker"" ""One of the most formidablebrains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight."" -- ""The """"Washington"""" Post"" ""The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin.""----""Wall Street Journal"" Praise for ""How Life Imitates Chess"": ""Riveting...[Kasparov] makes his debut as a management guru. If retired jocks can write inspirational books, I see no reason to exclude retired chess luminaries from the field of management advice, and executives will find Kasparov's prescriptions useful. The man is a genius, for Pete's sake.""--""Portfolio,"" reviewed by Roger Lowenstein ""A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy.""--""Publishers Weekly "" ""It's very rare to have a window onto a unique and fascinating strategic mind. It's even more rare to receive a set of very specific, pragmatic ideas to enhance your own game, and your own business success. Garry Kasparov provides you with both, in a totally accessible, highly engaging, one-of-a-kind volume.""-Adrian J. Slywotzky, Director of Oliver Wyman, and author of ""The Upside "" ""When the game's greatest champion gives advice on integrating your chess skills into your business life (as well as the rest of your life), the wise player listens closely. ...an evocative tapestry of inspiration and guidance. To support his account, [Kasparov] draws extensively from history, philosophy, art, science, sports, and general culture. He intersperses references, across the intellectual spectrum, from and to the likes of Lao Tzu, Charles Darwin, Marcel Duchamp, George Washington, Franz Kafka, Jack Welch, Michael Jordan, and, of course, Vladimir Putin, his chief political adversary. The result is a volume of cogently packaged lessons that, beyond its import and message, is a pleasure to read...It'sclear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place. Probably, nobody else has all of Kasparov's special skill sets. Yet, after reading ""How Life Imitates Chess,"" with its solid advice to follow one's own path, it's eas to see how the road to personal growth and eventual fulfillment might suddenly come into view, sharp and focused.""""--""Bruce Pandolfini, ""Chess Life ""PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: ""Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics.""--""New Yorker"" ""One of the most formidable brains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight."" -- ""The """"Washington"""" Post"" ""The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin.""----""Wall Street Journal"" PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: ""Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics.""--""New Yorker"" ""One of the most formidable brains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight."" -- ""The """"Washington"""" Post"" ""The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin.""----""Wall Street Journal"" PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV ""Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia--a coalition of Putin's most outspoken critics.""--""New Yorker"" ""One of the most formidable brains of our era....fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight."" -- ""The """"Washington"""" Post"" ""The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin.""----""Wall Street Journal"" PRAISE FOR GARRY KASPAROV: "" Kasparov has emerged as the most prominent man in what is called the Other Russia-- a coalition of Putin' s most outspoken critics."" -- ""New Yorker"" ""One of the most formidable brains of our era... .fast-talking, exuberant, indigant one moment and laughing sardonically the next - Kasparov clearly relishes the fight."" -- ""The """"Washington"""" Post"" "" The man who would checkmate Vladimir Putin."" - - -- ""Wall Street Journal""
