The Compass View: Applying the Metaphor of Chinese Chess to Modern Competition

(updated on 07.03.15)

Chinese Chess (xiang qi) has always been a tactical-based board game that reflects the state of modern competition in reference to the boundaries, the limited resources and the proclivity of establishing the remote attacking protocol.  While the gist of western chess is symbolically closer to the politics of our western society, the gist of Xiang qi is about field level combat.

The Field Game

Following is an abridged listing of strategic and tactical principles (from Chinese Chess game) that could be applied to the real world:

• the general usually operates efficiently when positioning behind the solders and staying within the city;  (Leading from the front line only works in the movies.)
• the cannon always operates efficiently when positioning behind other pieces;
• the chariot, the horse and the cannon usually operate effectively as a team;
• the unification of the solders after they have crossed the river;
• the sacrificing of one's position and other minor pieces  is the operating norm for the purpose of surprising and subverting the opposing desktop general;  
• while the infantry are used for distraction or last priority attack, the real siege originated from the combination of the chariot, the horse and the cannon; and
• the targeting of the "real general" who sits or stands behind the rear rank is the alpha objective;  

Clue: Think of the symbolic meaning behind each piece. Then, connect it to the above listings of principles before attaching it to your strategic situation- identify its inner configuration before assessing the connectivity of the situation.  

Positioning yourself by deciding whether a combinational tactic or a "wait and intercept" tactic is needed.

 

The Chinese Chess Game Board

• Utilizing the river (the territorical boundary)  to one's strategic advantage 

We will  explain the specifics of the above principles and outline other principles while elaborating on the basics of Chinese Chess in a future post.

More to come.