Three Moves Ahead: What Chess Can Teach You about Business

Three Moves Ahead shows how classic chess strategies address the #1 problem of Information Age executives: how to move quickly in the face of incalculable complexities and unexpected change. This witty and novel guide, written for non-players, is packed with scores of real-world examples showing how top CEOs use Grandmaster techniques to win on Wall Street. Readers will see how a "strong square" strategy drove Adobe’s rise from niche player to industry giant, as well as Western Union’s success through a hundred years of technology changes. They’ll learn how AOL has played a crucial "exchange sacrifice" to revive its fortunes, and how Google is taking turf from Microsoft with a "minority attack." Most importantly these days, they’ll find out "what to do when you don't know what to do," and avoid the fate of companies like Polaroid, Gateway, and our dearly departed Ma Bell.

"A fun ride from Apprentice to Business Grandmaster. Grab it!"—Donald Trump

Bob Rice (Short Hills, NJ) was a long-time partner at Wall Street's prestigious Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, and McCloy. He left to start a software venture that was purchased by Viewpoint, a NASDAQ company of which he later became CEO. He is currently a Managing Partner of Tangent Capital, which structures financial products for hedge funds, and a member of the "New York Angels" venture finance group. Along the way, Bob served as Commissioner of the Professional Chess Association, founded the Wall Street Chess Club, ran numerous international chess events and produced a successful "Speedchess" series for ESPN.

Business leader and chess expert Rice shows executives how to use chess tactics to thrive in the face of complexity and unexpected change. Written for nonplayers, the book is filled with examples of using chess principles to attack competitors, defend turf, and crack new markets. For example, he demonstrates how a "strong square" strategy drove Adobe's rise, and how Google is creating holes in Microsoft's position with a "minority attack." B&w chess diagrams are included. Rice is a managing partner of a company that structures financial products for hedge funds and founded the Wall Street Chess Club. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Three Moves Ahead

In today's fast-moving Information Age, traditional business-planning tools are rapidly becoming obsolete. Yet the competitive, ever-changing marketplace demands that executives move quickly or risk becoming relics.

In Three Moves Ahead, business leader and chess expert Bob Rice offers an entertaining, practical response to this modern dilemma. He shows how the world's top executives use chess tactics to thrive in the face of incalculable complexities and unexpected change. Written for nonplayers, this witty, smart guide is filled with real-world examples of how to win the game of business by applying chess strategies honed from over 1,000 years of competition.

With incisive prose, Rice clearly shows how to use these principles to attack competitors, defend turf, and crack new markets. He demonstrates how a "Strong Square" strategy drove Adobe's rise from niche player to industry powerhouse, how Kodak is reviving its fortunes with an "Exchange Sacrifice," and how Google is creating holes in Microsoft's position with a "Minority Attack." Most importantly, Three Moves Ahead also shows how to "Stay Ahead On the Clock" and avoid the fate of companies like Polaroid, Gateway, and our dearly departed Ma Bell.

Insightful and clever, Three Moves Ahead shows how anyone can navigate strategically through the most disruptive period in business history.

People are Talking About Three Moves Ahead

"Three moves ahead? I'd say four, at least. An utterly fresh guide to winning in today's business environment."

—Jim Spanfeller, CEO, Forbes.com

"Every executive struggles with the pressure to think fast and think ahead. Bob's fascinating book shows how to apply chess principles to do just that. It's impossible to make the right move every time, but these strategies will help you succeed in the face of the unpredictable."

—Bruce Chizen, former CEO, Adobe Systems Incorporated

"This amazing book is the first time anyone has clearly translated Grandmaster ideas to real-world situations. The business examples are so good that I'm using them to teach chess!"

—Maurice Ashley, International Chess Grandmaster

"Rarely does one find a book where every page is filled with both brilliant insight and witty writing. Mandatory reading for every startup."

—David S. Rose, founder, New York Angels

"I don't play chess but it sure improved my 'game' at the office! The clever, clear examples show how to use dozens of classic strategies in everyday situations. This book can put any executive 'three moves ahead'!"

—Sarah Fay, CEO, Carat USA

Bob Rice was a longtime partner at Wall Street's prestigious Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, and McCloy. He left to start a software venture that was purchased by Viewpoint, a NASDAQ company of which he later became CEO. He is currently a managing partner of Tangent Capital, which structures financial products for hedge funds, and a member of the New York Angels venture finance group. Rice served as Commissioner of the Professional Chess Association, founded the Wall Street Chess Club, ran numerous international chess events, and produced a successful "Speedchess" series for ESPN.

Preface.

1 The Wall Street Chess Club.

2 Three Moves Ahead?

3 First Mover.

4 On the Clock.

5 Bad Bishops.

6 Lucky or Good?

7 Strong Squares.

8 Sac the Exchange!

9 Classic Tactics.

10 Decisions, Decisions.

A Postgame Recap.

Notes.

About the Author.

Index.