Chess and Decisions: Kasparov and Kotov
Trader's Library #104 · Habits, learning and the mind. Chess as a school of scenario planning and post-mortem analysis.
Author: Garry Kasparov, Alexander Kotov · Original: How Life Imitates Chess; Think Like a Grandmaster; Play Like a Grandmaster; My Great Predecessors · Year: 2007 · Usefulness for traders: ★★★☆☆
What it's about
Kasparov's “How Life Imitates Chess” carries lessons from the board over to decisions in life and business. Kotov's “Think Like a Grandmaster” and “Play Like a Grandmaster” teach systematic analysis of variations. Kasparov also wrote “My Great Predecessors” and “Deep Thinking” about artificial intelligence, among others.
What it gives a trader
Chess teaches things close to trading: scenario planning, assessing the position rather than your emotions, analysing your own games afterwards and coping with defeat. Kotov shows how to organise analysis so you don't jump chaotically between variations.
Lessons for traders
- prepare your variations before the game: scenarios before the session
- analyse your games afterwards, especially the lost ones
- assess the position, not how much you want to win
What to watch out for
Some of the books are pure chess literature.
Discussion
The discussion takes place in Hetman Capital Club (in Polish). Join the discussion in the Club →
Navigation
← #103 Mind and Emotions: Kross, Dweck, Seligman, Markman · Library index · #105 Cal Newport: Deep Work and Digital Minimalism →
Educational content, not investment advice. The book description is my own summary and assessment, not quotations. Edition details were checked in catalogues and bookshops, and where there was doubt I said so plainly.