I tend not to dwell on the parallels between chess and business, chess and the martial arts, or any two things for that matter, because the truth is that all pursuits are connected if we gain an eye for the thematic links.

One thing about the business and investing world that I connect to very intimately is that there is little room to deny the harsh realities of your mistakes. A bad call can lose you many millions.

Just about every error has a technical and psychological component: get good at discovering those connections

In chess you might find a good move. Then you might find a better move. But take your time. Find the best move.

Of course the sad truth is that if we are not present to the moment, our true love could come and go and we wouldn't even notice.

We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities.

Initially I was very drawn to the Tao Te Ching, the Taoist philosophy. It was helping me deal with the balance of these external and internal issues with my chess life. Tai chi is the martial embodiment of Taoist philosophy. Initially, I had no intention of competing in the martial arts; it was just the meditation.