Protracted Game: A Wei-Ch'I Interpretation of Maoist Revolutionary Strategy

Some writers have explored warfare and strategy from the perspective of modern game theory or analogies to chess. The author of this book explores Maoist revolutionary strategy by comparing it, by analogy, to strategy in the Chinese game of wei-ch'i (also known in Japan as Go).The author starts with a chapter discussing the basic rules, structure and strategy of the Chinese game of wei-ch'i. In the second chapter, the author sets forth his arguments on how a formal analogy or model can be developed by comparing various facets of wei-ch'i to Chinese Communist insurgency. In the next three chapters, the author uses his formal analogy/model to discuss and examine the military and political strategy of the Chinese Communists during three periods of time: 1927 to 1937 (Kiangsi period); 1937 to 1945 (Sino-Japanese War); and 1945-1949 (Chinese Civil War). The author then presents a sixth chapter in which he provides a synopsis of the seventeen conclusions he has reached about the similarities between wei-ch'i strategy and Chinese Communist strategy during the period 1927-1949, and contends that his proposed analogy/model can be used to evaluate Chinese Communist geopolitical strategy and Chinese Communist-supported insurgency. Also, the author notes (in an appendix) that his proposed wei-ch'i analogy/model requires further research, and suggests several questions and topics that should be the subject of further research.The book is thoughtful, scholarly, and interesting. It provides an unusual perspective on Maoist revolutionary warfare, and provides support for the author's contention that Western perspectives on strategy and warfare could benefit from consideration of alternative viewpoints such as historical Chinese strategic thought and the Chinese game of wei-ch'i (which is very different from chess). I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in: (1) Maoist revolutionary warfare; (2) the military history of China during the period 1927-1949; (3) a different perspective on military strategy; (4) analogies between games and warfare; and (5) non-Western perspectives on warfare.

As a former professional U.S. Army Military Intelligence officer, I found "The Protracted Game" to be an insightful and profound look at the differences between Western and Eastern stragetic thought. Chess is often used as a metaphor for Western diplomatic/military strategy, but chess focuses on the relative power of the pieces and their allowable moves. But in Wei Ch'i (or Go), all of the pieces (stones) have the same value and the emphasis is on strategic location and positioning pieces in spots on the board in order to capture territory. And "classic" Communist revolutionary strategy presupposes that the insurgent won't have the modern weaponry that Western military forces depend on. Thus the emphasis on capturing (and holding) territory a small piece at a time. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the development of strategic warfare and the difference between Eastern and Western strategic politico-military thought.

As a chess player and ADD computer programmer I was fascinated from reading the cover of this book. I have traveled in Asia but never able to put together how that thinking is pursued at a global level. This put it together for me. By digging into the the heart of the long term strategic mindset it opened up alot of ideas for me. Both in understanding Asia, and in my own life trying to figure out the value and difference between sharp, quick option based chess analysis and the longer term slow choke holds this book illuminates.Highly recommended very few things you read challenge the kernel of how you think like this does.

This was possibly the most insightful book I have ever read. It improved my understanding of strategic human conflict on the Wei-ch'i board, in modern society, and on the battlefield as well. It is important, however, to be somewhat familiar with Wei-ch'i in order to fully comprehend the concepts.