The Art of Battle

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Life is a war; some days, it is merely a battle. As we navigate through professions, relationships, friends, and foes, we suit up each day—armouring our hearts and masking our fears with a brave face. We march forward, sometimes with steady steps, sometimes staggering. Some battles are fought within, silent and unseen, while others are waged against the world. We fight to claim what is rightfully ours, to protect what we have painstakingly earned, to stand against injustice, betrayal, and humiliation.

Since we must fight anyway, let us learn to fight well—and fight right. I have learned three invaluable lessons about warfare from three different encounters. The most recent lesson comes from a young girl who has made our nation proud—Vaishali Rameshbabu. A chess prodigy in her own right, she constantly battles to carve her own identity, stepping out of the shadow of being known as 'Praggnanandhaa’s sister.' Even as she remains a loving sibling, she fights to be recognized as one of the greatest chess players of the country.

In a recent Tata Steel Chess Tournament match, Vaishali faced Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev. A video shared by ChessBase India captured an awkward moment—Vaishali extended her hand for a customary pre-match handshake, but Yakubboev, arriving late, ignored the gesture. Some say this was a psychological tactic, an attempt to unnerve her. Yet, Vaishali remained unshaken. She did not react, did not look up. Instead, she descended deep within herself, seeing only the 64 squares before her. And then, in a poetic stroke of justice, she let her prowess speak—defeating her opponent with ease. When you must fight, expect humiliation. Swallow it. There is only one way to respond—victory.

A karate master once shared a story about a ten-year-old boy born without a right arm. Despite his congenital condition, the master admitted him to his dojo, moved by the boy’s passion for the sport. When the school faced a rival in a karate tournament, the boy volunteered to compete, even though he was only a reserve. The opposing team had an undefeated star—a warrior who finished each match within seconds. As his teammates fell one by one, the boy stepped forward, requesting a match against the champion. The master hesitated but admired the boy’s courage and allowed him to fight.

As soon as the bout began, the boy swiftly took down the champion. Within minutes, the one-armed boy emerged victorious. Later, during the celebration, the master asked the boy how he had achieved the impossible. The boy smiled and said, “I observed his pattern—he always seized the opponent’s right hand before attacking. The opponent, who relied on grabbing his challenger's right arm to dominate, was lost since I had no right hand. Those few seconds of his confusion were all I needed to strike.” What we perceive as our weakness can be our greatest strength, just as what we boast of as strength can sometimes become our greatest weakness.

A close associate once underwent a rigorous selection process for a leadership role. She was meticulous, prepared for the grilling rounds, and did quite well in the several rounds. Observers hinted that she was the strongest candidate. Yet, in the end, she did not make it. Only later did she realize that the decision had been made before the interviews even began. The contest was an illusion, a performance where the winner had already been chosen. While she opted to come out of the organization, I had learnt something during her struggle.

Some battles are predetermined. The clever or ‘street smart’, as they refer, win before they fight, while the naïve fight to win. The key is to assess the battlefield before preparing for war. You may be a great warrior, but if the terrain is set for someone else’s victory, you may not achieve success.

Valluvar, with his penetrating insights about human psychology, their strengths and weaknesses, gave useful tips for any battle that one has to combat

“Vinaivaliyum Thanvaliyum Maatraan Valiyum

Thunaivaliyum Thookki Cheyal.”

“Assess the force the strife demands, assess your strengths, then that of foes and the allies of both; If favourable, then jump to fight”

The art of battle, wherever it is, is not just about fighting. It is about knowing when and how to fight. In all battles, there is an end, but we return and begin again. Wallowing in pride or pity. Honour and Valour are awarded to those that move forward and flourish in their passages.

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