Jose Rizal - the Chess Master Strategist

 

If we revisit Philippine history’s complicated turn of events, we can see that Jose Rizal was playing chess while the rest of the team was playing checkers. Rizal was taking into account matters that were considered to be irrelevant by Bonifacio and all other heroes. During the revolution, Bonifacio and his gang were  playing tactics. Rizal on the other hand was a strategist with a long-term thoughts about the revolution. There is a clash between tactical manoeuvres represented by Bonifacio and the idea of an effective or more efficient attack via strategic moves. It was Bonifacio’s tactics versus Rizal’s strategy during the Spanish revolution.

To better understand the difference between  the views of Rizal and Bonifacio, let us clear the line differentiating “tactics” and “strategy”. To illustrate, let us look at the game of chess. In chess, there are plays that are  described as either a tactical manoeuvre or a long-term strategy. Tactics are forcing moves that usually result in a piece advantage or to an immediate checkmate. Tactics require a logical positional advantage to create that atmosphere where the moves of your opponent are practically forced. Tactics often occur when a chess player commits an “oversight” or “blunder” in the handling of the pieces. Strategy, on the other hand, is executed to accomplish long-term objectives that result from careful and deliberate planning. Strategy requires a broad understanding of the situation in order to devise a  more effective and efficient plan of action. 

Since Rizal is more of a strategist than a tactician, he declined attempts by the Katipuneros to rescue him from imprisonment. History recalls that there were attempts made by Bonifacio and the Katipuneros to rescue Rizal. The first attempt was made when Rizal was exiled in Dapitan. Rizal was exiled in Dapitan from July 17, 1892 until he sailed back to Manila on July 31, 1896. On orders of the Spanish Government, Rizal was exiled to Dapitan based on suspicions that he was involved in the rebellion.  Rizal voluntarily committed to exile. While in Dapitan, Dr. Pio Valenzuela informed Rizal that there is a plan being hatched by the Katipuneros to rescue him from exile and  surreptitiously bring him to a ship bound for Japan. Despite Valenzuela’s efforts to convince Rizal to go along with the plan of rescuing him, Rizal declined the offer. Rizal was  already happy in Dapitan with Josephine Bracken. Rizal opted not to break his promise with the Spanish Authorities.

The  second attempt to rescue Rizal was made sometime in August 1896. This was during the time when Rizal’s ship was docked in a harbour for a stopover in Manila. When Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto  received word that Rizal’s ship would be anchored in Manila for a brief stopover, Bonifacio and Jacinto together with the other members of the Katipunan devised a plan to rescue Rizal. The plan conceived by the Katipuneros was akin to a plot in a movie where the actors disguised themselves. Bonifacio, Jacinto and other members of the Katipunan camouflaged themselves as sailors of a ship named Caridad. As sailors of Caridad, the Katipuneros were able to enter the Castilla, the cruiser where Rizal was a passenger while it was harboured in Manila. It was Jacinto who met Rizal at the deck of the ship. Jacinto told Rizal of the Katipuneros plan to rescue him. Jacinto infomed Rizal that Bonifacio and other Katipuneros boarderd the ship for the purpose of rescuing him. For the second time, Rizal refused to be rescued. Despite the valiant efforts made by Bonifacio, Jacinto and other Katipuneros, they failed to convince Rizal to go with them to escape. The efforts of the Katipuneros to rescue went down the drain due to Rizal’s insistence to remain in the ship and not risk the wrath of the Spanish Authorities.

The question is why Rizal refused the efforts of Katipuneros to rescue him? Bonifacio and the rest of the Katipuneros provided Rizal that golden and rare opportunity to escape. But, despite the efforts made by Bonifacio and the members of the Katipunan, Rizal has the tenacity to reject whatever plans regarding his rescue. Rizal had other things in mind. He believed that the plan of the Katipuneros to rescue him was not in accord with his strategic beliefs regarding the revolution. Rizal was a strategist. He thinks long-term. He considers the action of Bonifacio short-sighted and given the realistic situation concerning the capability of the Katipuneros to launch a revolution, rescuing him will not help the revolution. An armed revolution against Spain which at that time was one of the strongest countries in the world in terms of military might will not be successful. The Katipuneros are ill equipped to launch a successful armed attack against Spain. Rizal was resolute in his belief.

Rizal as a master chess strategist knew that when the opponent has an overwhelming advantage in terms of material, a strong and effective strategic plan is necessary in order to win. An effective strategy is a must in any warfare. Rizal believes that Bonifacio does not have a sound strategy in mind. Bonifacio was merely relying on tactical instincts when advocating for a revolution against Spain. Tactics without strategy will necessarily fall short against a well armed Spain. While tactics and strategy should work in unison in order to achieve a definite objective, a calm mind like that of Rizal is necessary to understand the rudiments of the position. Without an effective strategy, the Katipunan’s daring tactical moves will result in bloodshed unfavourable to the Filipinos.

What is the strategy in Rizal’s mind? Rizal knew that Spain had an overwhelming advantage compared to Bonifacio’s Katipunan. Spain’s military is recognized worldwide. It was one of the leading colonial powers during the 19th Century. However, due to several calls for independence, Spain was slowly losing its grip on its colonies in mainland America.  Yet, prior to the Spanish - American War of 1898, Spain’s imperial power rarely showed signs of weakness. Rizal, given his vast knowledge about Spain’s imperial  military strength, knew that an armed revolution planned by the Katipuneros is futile. 

Jose Rizal is a man with many hats.  He is an ophthalmologist, poet, sculptor, scientist, novelist and a philosopher.  But, we should not lose sight of the fact that Rizal is also a chess player. During his travels, Rizal would often play chess with anyone who had the time and knew the basics of the game. There is also a historical account that Rizal even played chess with the Guardia Civil. 

When I visited  Casa De Segunda (or the Luz-Katigbak Ancestral House) in Batangas, there was a chessboard that is believed to be the chessboard where Jose Rizal played chess. Though the chess pieces are already missing, the chessboard is well preserved. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to prove that this is actually the chessboard where Jose Rizal played chess. However, the existence of this chessboard is proof that chess is one of those games Rizal has chosen to spend his very precious time on. Rizal took time to play chess. He enjoyed the game of chess. Chess was clearly popular during Rizal's time.

There is a dearth of historical records whether Jose Rizal played chess against Manuel Luz (Segunda’s fiance and husband) during those times when Rizal visited Segunda in Lipa, Batangas. There is no existing record of the chess game between Jose Rizal and Manuel Luz. Perhaps, if Rizal played chess with Manuel Luz the game is merely a casual one which explains why no record of the game between them exists. The only evidence claiming that Rizal and Manuel Luz played chess is the chessboard in Casa De Segunda. 

As a hero and a chess player, we can say that Rizal is a chess master strategist. Rizal carefully takes into consideration all relevant factors before arriving at a decision. He would not assent to tactical manoeuvres that would result in small advantages. Rizal does not accede to a pyrrhic victory. He does not want to win a battle but lose the war. Rizal is not in agreement with Bonifacio’s plan to achieve a minor victory that would result to a huge defeat.

Photo: Jose Rizal's Monument in Toronto, Canada.