Women's History Month Chess Spotlight: Jennifer Shahade

March is Women's History Month and we begin by celebrating one of our favorite women in chess, WGM Jennifer Shahade! She is arguably one of the most consistent, innovative and groundbreaking women in chess ever. It is not just because of her chess gaming. It is because of her books, her videos, her podcasts and her drive to push the limits of chess culture (especially where girls, women and other minorities are concerned. Please check out this TED Talk by Jennifer and we encourage you to get any of her books to your daughters, moms, nieces, aunts, sisters and friends. She is truly an inspiration.

Camp Tazo Presents: Guided Meditations w/ The RZA

Camp Tazo (and event curated and actualized by the good people at TAZO Tea)  recently hosted an artists retreat in Shaolin (aka Staten Island NY) to help them overcome blocks in their creativity. RZA of the mighty Wu Tang Clan put together a series of guided meditations for the campers and they are now here for your personal consumption! I hope you enjoy it! They are truly enlightening ideas and we at HHCF are sure they can help you grow in your personal and professional life.

On Friday Bishop Chronicles has an entire show talking about my visit to Camp Tazo. Subscribe to the show on Spotify, iTunes, Mixcloud or Libsyn to listen or visit www.bishopchronicles.com to listen in.

PEACE!

Bushido Beats: The Art of War in Hip-Hop Production

By: Adisa, The Bishop

There is a powerful trend in Hip-Hop production growing outside of the rap industry. It is happening organically in the free landscape of the internet. I call it Bushido Beats.

Back in the early 1990’s, I was in a rap group called Freedom T.R.O.O.P. 187. I used to be obsessed by studying Taoism, Buddhism and Confucian scholarship. I used to go with my friend MC Hi-Low to Shambala Books on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley, CA. We would buy whatever we could find. Once I bought a tape of some Japanese flutes and another of a Japanese harpist (sadly both their names escape me now). Back then Hi-Low and I always said we were gonna put the melodies to a beat. We never did. Luckily a lot of other rap artists emerged with Eastern-themed music. DJ Premier did a lot with Jeru and Afu Ra, and of course the Wu Tang Clan.

Many years ago I interviewed Shaolin Monk Shi Yan Ming (Kung Fu teacher and mentor of RZA)  for the Yoga Journal for a story about rap artists who practice meditation and do yoga. He said “When people listen to Hip-Hop, they dance and are happy. This is also meditation. RZA, when he writes songs, uses philosophy to help people. He is giving people meditation.”

When he said it at the time, I was much more of a yoga practitioner than a meditator. I respected it, because how can you not respect the wisdom a Shaolin Monk speaks. At the same time, I felt it was a little over the top. Now that I do practice many forms of meditation, I am still shocked at how strikingly accurate his words were.

About a year or so back, I got online looking for Wu Tang instrumentals. I had just finished listening to El Michels Affair Album Enter the 37th Chamber. It is a collection of Wu Tang classics replayed. He just released a new one, Return to the 37th Chamber with some fantastic tracks on there as well.

In any case what happened next was fantastic. It suggested I play a song called King by an artist named Ronin. It opens with a mellow meditative stringed instrument. Shortly after a bold bassline and military drums and flutes masterfully emerge. The end result is quite spectacular. From there I learned Ronin had another song called Mesa and that this was indeed a full music genre with the participation of artists from all over the planet. I feel like if Bruce Lee were alive today, he was bump this hard. One can dream.

Keep in mind these are created to be instrumentals. Rappers are not needed for this music to enjoy a lane of its own in cyberspace. A great deal of it is very aggressive. You can imagine Sun Tzu commanding 10,000 troops into battle to some of them. Others are laid back and quite relaxing. A great example of this beat is simply called Asian Rap Beat  posted by Thai Rex. I cannot tell if Thai Rex made the beat or just posted it. It currently has more than 2 million views on youtube. Other artists who deserve an honorable mention in the space include (but not limited to) Raven, Justin Kase, and VintageMan Beats and  Ratz Beats who now has more than 5 million views with Shaolin Style Type . Two of my other favorites is a Grillabeats Kontaru and Trapanese by Sez. It has massive bass and will surely blow your parents speakers if given the chance.

At the HHCF Chess and Jiu-Jitsu classes these beats are often banging as students enter the academy. There is something magical to me about the music helping to set the tone. Now, there are other days when we train in complete silence. Both have their benefits.

It is important to note that these are not new tracks. Some of them have been around between 5 to 7 years or more. The consistency the Bushido Beats emerge with is proof of its staying power. Keep in mind that this is an internet phenomenon that has no place on commercial radio or TV. And it appears to be growing.

I keep seeing people post tracks as “Asian type this” or “Oriental Hip-Hop beat”. I am choosing to name this style of production Bushido Beats. At the end of the day, it is still Hip-Hop. Real Hip-Hop. True Hip-Hop made for the love of the path, not pop music galore.

This is music that I workout to. This is music I write to and sometimes meditate to. I find it inspiring. It motivates me through my yoga poses and drives me to knock out another set when I want to quit.

When trying to understand and accurately measure the impact of the Wu Tang Clan on the planet, this emerging genre is yet another manifestation of their seemingly infinite legacy. At the same time it is important to note the roll that local traditions have in the global expansion of Hip-Hop. It makes total sense that Wu Tang or not, a DJ in Japan or China, India, or Tibet might want to add some local music from their tradition to give an original stamp on what they make.

If you know artists who make beats like these, please tweet me the link with the hashtag #BushidoBeats @hiphopchess on Twitter.

As a bonus I'm gonna add this Mike Relm produced jam called The Iron Hook Scroll. Enjoy!

What Are You Willing to Sacrifice in Chess and Life?

Scene where Larry Fishburne's character "Vinny" plays a young Josh Waitzkin in Searching for Bobby Fischer


You're dealing with a king not a kong out here/ You're a pawn, but we can get along out here!

- Jidenna, Chief Don't Run

These days mainstream TV has been pushing a lot of chess on the screen. Television shows like Fresh Off The Boat, Luke Cage and The Get Down all made chess references in the last two seasons. My boy Mike Relm even called me to tell me the movie Get Out had some references to chess and mma in it.

While a lot of popular players inside chess like to talk about the likeness of chess to life, very few of them are able to share consistent connections. It also hard to do it effectively and consistently. We all know it makes sense to make better decisions in our life. We all want to. Many of us struggle to. However, looking at the life of chess players like Paul Morphy or Bobby Fischer (who both went insane) or others like Mikhail Tal (who was an amazing thinker but was not the best at taking care of his health) make it hard to argue that playing chess alone ensures a good life ahead.

Nevertheless, American chess icon Josh Waitzkin's’ The Art of Learning is one of the best testaments to the relationship between life and chess. It makes looking at the way one can incorporate chess themes in your life digestible. This is important. Especially for someone like me, who is not a world class chess player.

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is one of the only organizations dedicated to the chess and life strategies theme. We were founded on the idea to keep the connections between life and chess easy to understand and share with casual players.

One of my favorite examples of chess and life is found in the classic game from 1858 by American chess legend Paul Morphy in his game against Count Isouard and The Duke of New Brunswick called “The Opera House Massacre.” It was played in Paris at an Opera House. The Count and The Duke took turns moving the black pieces.

Move 12 for black is a pivotal point in the game. I always ask my kids (almost all of them beginners) who is stronger between white and black. I often get the response that black is stronger. My thought is that black is a better defender of their king, but they have zero active attacks going on. Meanwhile, white has more pieces active in the battlefield. In chess as in boxing, good defense is important, but it is equally important to making sure you have deliberate attacks happening as often as possible.

Moves 16 shows white running the queen to the back rank.  It looks like checkmate at a glance. That is only because many beginners forget to use their knights laterally. They tend to only move them forward and back. These two images are so crucial tactically and philosophically for us in HHCF. We talk about the importance of two things:

1) Morphy had clarity of vision. He saw the truth in the positions he played. One of the biggest problems in life is trusting yourself. Before many of us make a decision, we ask a friend or two “Is this a good idea?” Sometimes they agree, other times they don’t. Other times the response from friends is mixed. Very few of us can laser in on what we see and act from a place of inner conviction. Chess helps us teach ourselves to trust in the reality of what we see. It helps us form a habit of taking the best actions based off of that clarity of vision. One of the best ways to really make a habit of knowing if it IS what it looks like it is- is to play chess.

2) Sacrifice. The word sacrifice is defined as “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.”  Sacrifice  is something you must give up or risk- for a greater good (we hope). We have to recognize though that anything you sacrifice is only worth it, if you win! So then let’s ask, “Where are the sacrifices we need to make to achieve our life goals?” Ask anybody (but especially kids) what they want to be, or do, and you get a lot of passionate responses.

Right now, there is a kid on a football team. Let us call him Rashad. If  is truly a top tier player he is spending a ton of time in the gym, studying his playbook, studying film, working hard to make sure his grades are up to par so there is no question about his eligibility. The entire time that is happening Rashad is missing out on school parties, on trips to the amusement park, on online shenanigans etc. Over the course of his high school journey, there are many social events he misses out on.

However, in senior year we see he gets a full football scholarship to a top tier university. Everyone at the school is so excited.  Very few of his fellow students, friends or family realize the years of sacrifice it took to get that opportunity to come to life. “Rashad is so lucky!” they say. Never considering all the years of study and effort it took to get “lucky”.

The question for my class (and my question for you today) is what is the queen sacrifice in your life right now? The queen is powerful, dynamic and brings terror to her opponents on sight. No person lightly gives her away. One only sacrifices her, if they are clear that victory is sure. Training yourself to be willing to let go of the queen is so hard. Few of us can do it. I wrestle with it often. But it must be done.

As on the board, so in life. Next time you are thinking or talking about anything major that you want to accomplish. Think about the last three big things you did to actualize that goal. If it is diet related, don’t lie to yourself about the cookies you snuck in last night. If it is financial, don’t forgive yourself for for spending money you could have saved on shoes.

Look for the hard sacrifices you need to make. Look at your personal goals and work to consistently make the sacrifices needed. If you are not making the sacrifices you may be unclear on what you want and why. Look into that. If you are afraid to give everything to get what you want then don’t complain. Until you are ready to put it all on the line you will never reach the level you say you seek. Enjoy your games.

Watch the entire Opera House Massacre played out here: https://www.chess.com/blog/Boogalicious/morphys-opera-house-game

NEW VIDEO: How to Overcome Doubt

Check out this new video from the HHCF called "Knowing You". It's about how to overcome the seeds of doubt people place in your head.

NEW VIDEO: Teach Your Kids The 3 C's: College Career and Crime

HHCF Founder shares one of his lessons on life, choices and consequences with, The 3 C's. Make sure you share this with your kids, or kids you care about.

                                      HHCF Founder, Adisa Banjoko at Unity High in Oakland, CA.

WATCH: Adisa Banjoko Speak on the Power of Time

Watch the new YouTube channel by Adisa Banjoko on how ensuring you get time to workout helps your in your creative pursuits and business . Be sure to subscribe to see more in the series.

WATCH: New video by Adisa Banjoko on the Power of Your Ideas

Watch the new video channel by Adisa Banjoko and learn his unique perspective on ideas. Be sure to subscribe to see more in the series.

Watch Video: How Your Enemies Improve You by HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko

Watch the new video channel by Adisa Banjoko and learn how your enemies improve you. Don't forget to subscribe to the channel. Be sure to subscribe to see more in the series.

WATCH: New Inspirational Video Series by HHCF Founder on Life Strategies

    Rapper Jasiri X, HHCF Educator Arash Daneshzadeh and Adisa Banjoko hanging out on the 64         squares. Chess set sponsored by www.thechesspiece.com 

2016 is starting strong for the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. Their Founder started a new video series produced by YouTube Remix King Mike Relm (known for his Star Wars, Iron Man and Avengers video remixes). Mike Relm and Adisa Banjoko have a series of short videos about life strategy and philosophy that will leave you inspired and informed. 

Video 1: How Your Enemies Improve You 

Video 2: Money

There are 11 more videos dropping between now and March. Please enjoy, subscribe to the channel and enjoy. 

VIDEO: Lost Footage from Oberlin Lecture on Forgotten Chess History, Nonviolence and Jiu-Jitsu

Earlier this year Adisa Banjoko gave a talk at Oberlin College in the science dept. It was the first time he spoke about the history and impact of the fusion of Hip-Hop and chess. Only a small portion of it was covered in my work at the World Chess Hall of Fame's Living Like Kings exhibit. Though a smashing success on many levels, as you can imagine it is a complex and deep subject. 

Some of  the talk was not immediately available online after he spoke. Only a few days ago did ALL of the talk make it online. The subject of this talk became my upcoming book, Bobby, Bruce & Bam: The History of Hip-Hop Chess. Look for it in early 2016. I hope you enjoy these clips. Many thanks to Kalind Parish for his sharing of the video.

How the rise of Bobby Fischer, Bruce Lee and Africa Bambaataa changed chess, Hip-Hop and martial arts- forever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvA9TeQpYxc 

On how the LA riots changed how rappers talk about chess https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEjUFgYwK5U

On chess and nonviolence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI7Da0ED2u0

Sacrifice All for the Empire

Sacrifice All for the Empire

By Adisa Banjoko, Founder of Hip-Hop Chess Federation

Sometimes you have to be willing to sacrifice your queen, in order to win the game. - Lucious Lyons, EMPIRE

Everybody is talking about the TV smash Empire these days. In just a few short months the show has overtaken the ratings and the streets. The show is, at it’s root, an amazing Black soap opera with a bangin’ soundtrack and more cliffhangers than the rocky mountains.

One thing a lot of people miss in the show is the ever presence of the 64 squares of psychological combat. The board is often in the foreground, or the background during many serious conversations taking place about business and life. The main character, Lucious Lyons is a ruthless business man who will do anything it takes to keep his label at the top of the game. He has enemies outside of the company and even within his own family that seem to undermine his vision.

Lucious Lyons is no poster boy for a model citizen. He is, some might rightly argue - nuts. But one thing he is not, is foolish, over emotional or ignorant of all of his options. In the last episode he said the opening quote as he was being taken off to jail. His mention of sacrifice really struck me deep.

The word sacrifice comes from two greek words that essentially mean “to make sacred”. On the chessboard, any piece lost for the greater good is purified by the ultimate success of the king.

As a jiu-jitsu guy, I’m somewhat familiar with the judo concept of  sutemi-waza (sacrifice throws). These are takedowns that “involve putting oneself in a potentially unfavorable position, such as on the ground, in order to execute a throw”.

In our American pastime of baseball we have sacrifice bunts where you get yourself thrown out of the game, so the team can score.

This value of sacrifice is known throughout many different cultures, faiths and nations.

When Lucious spoke about sacrifice, it was on a borderline fanatical level. His character will do whatever it takes (lie, cheat, steal etc.) to get what he wants. Now, I do not advocate that. But his dedication and commitment to his cause, gave me pause in my personal life.

I had to ask myself, “How much have I been risking to get what I want out of life?”

Long ago I observed that one’s level of success is almost always in proportion to the level of sacrifice.

Navy SEAL founder Richard Marchinko once stated, “The more I sweat in training, the less I bleed in combat.” That is sacrifice. I used to remind myself of that when I was first training in jiu-jitsu. It helped me stay unafraid to go against higher belts.  I did not mind getting caught in deep chokes and trapped in places that inspire panic. Slowly things that used to make my heart jump in physical situations didn’t have the same effect.

Michael Jordan sacrificed many hours on the court alone, perfecting his shots. Jimi Hendrix spent endless days on his guitar mastering the potential sound of every string. Dan Gable and many other American wrestling champions shadow wrestled to stay clear when the battle was real.

If you are just giving the average input, you should expect the average output. But if you consistently give more than average, eventually your return will be higher than average.

How much are you willing to get that degree? How much are you will to study and out hustle the next man with new ideas to get and keep the next job or promotion? They say it takes 10,000 hours to master anything. Take some times this week to soak up the idea of sacrifice and apply it for your own life path.

LISTEN: Chess Hustlers Anthem from Street Games Vol. 2

HHCF is proud to announce Street Games Vol. 2 will release Feb 28th 2015!!! Right now, you can listen to Chess Hustlers Anthem by S2dn Music Chess Hustlers Anthem

HHCF Winter and Spring Camps NOW ENROLLING!

That's right!! These camps SOLD OUT THIS SUMMER and we are ready to do it again!!! If you want your kid to get more from chess than the same carbon copy puzzles off the printer sign up today.

Morpheus Theory: Self-inflicted failure

HHCF Philosophy: The PPC Code LEARN IT!!

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HHCF Philosophy: 3PA > 1NT

Just the beginning of what we teach at the HHCF summer camp. There will be nothing like it on Earth and you'll be glad you signed your kids up. Seats are moving pretty steady. Get your kids in today at www.hiphopchessfederation.org/games !

Kyra Gracie Getting Ready for World Championships!

Be sure to look at the kids training with her in the bottom video!!! So inspirational...

I first saw this posted by my good friends at www.dstryrsg.com !!! They rock. So does Kyra Gracie!!!