Contemplating Comedy by (Grandmaster) Jonathan Levitt

A book review by Ben Graff

“I like to play chess with old men in the park, although it’s hard to find 32 of them.”

Emo Philips – quoted in Contemplating Comedy

Grandmaster Jonathan Levitt will be a familiar name to chess fans, through his exploits at the board and his chess books. Secrets of Spectacular Chess, Genius in Chess and Bobby Fischer: The $5,000,000 Comeback are all terrific. Jonathan Levitt has now broken new ground with Contemplating Comedy, a book that defies easy categorisation, but one that will make any reader both laugh and think, as well as giving further insight into Levitt himself. This is not a chess book, but it does have a little chess in it, on which more later.

Written in nine sections, including a very topical “party animal’s guide to social distancing”, perennial debates on religion and the battle of the sexes and some fascinating insights in chapters on psychology, a black swan’s guide to risk management and the fine art of an insult, this is a book on humour. Contemplating Comedy is structured such that it serves as both a compilation and analysis of hilarious lines on the subjects in hand, laced with further insight from Levitt.
Ultimately humour is a way of thinking, a way of helping to understand and make sense of the crazy world we live in. A chance to see the funny side of things that might otherwise make us cry. Levitt’s contribution goes beyond just being witty, it is also thought provoking. Any book that enables the reader to both chuckle and learn must be a good thing.

As Levitt highlights, comedy has certain boundaries in terms of taste. We do not all laugh at the same jokes, and what one person finds humorous another could find offensive. In my view Levitt navigates this challenge well. There were perhaps two or three lines out of hundreds that I would not have included, but even these were fully contextualised and properly explained.

My favourite chapter was “Good God no! My Unbiblical chord was cut off in my prime.” Levitt thinks it is unlikely that there is a God, but whatever your religious disposition this is an insightful passage containing some of the wittiest arguments both for and against the existence of a creator that you are ever likely to read. Ranging from: “What is missing from ch—ch? UR.” Through to: “I believe there is something watching us. Unfortunately, it’s the government,” Levitt manages to share perspectives from Epicurus and Aquinas, through to Dawkins and Darwin, with plenty of other thinkers and comedians also quoted along the way.

In terms of chess, there are interesting passages on logic and the principles of teaching the game. Levitt highlights that schooling players to perceive the position correctly in the first place is always going to be key. “Bouncebackability,” from defeat is discussed as the most important skill a player must learn. Having that resilience to go again after a reversal and to adapt to changing circumstances during a game are both areas where Levitt’s GM level insight shines through. More than that, his recognition of the challenges we all face as we strive to dust ourselves off and do our best with every day at our disposal is well articulated.

Jonathan Levitt also shares a little of his own story. From chess professional to cricket spread-better. From chess writer to embarking on this quite different project, Levitt’s humanity, and modesty are apparent on every page. Levitt might originally have been an Oxford maths graduate, but I was struck by his flair for language and his ability to cut through any subject. He has that rare skill of being able to capture what is funny and to help the reader look anew at some of the key questions that go to the heart of how we live. He knows how to make a real connection with the reader. This might not be a chess book, but I am sure chess and non-chess players alike will enjoy it. I very much look forward to seeing what Jonathan Levitt chooses to write next, he really is a terrific talent.

Here is Jonathan Levitt in action way back against Susan Lalic in 1986 (analysis as previously published by Jonathan.)

Levitt, Jonathan - Lalic, Susan 

GLC Masters 11 March 1986, London 

Annotated by Jonathan Levitt

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Nc3 c5 5.g3 Ne4 6.Qd3 f5?!

6…cxd4 7.Nxd4 Qa5 8.Nb3 Qf5 8…Nxc3 9.Bd2 ! ⩲ 9.Qe3 ∞ 

7.Bd2 Nxd2 8.Qxd2 Qa5 9.Bg2 O-O 10.O-O Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qa4 !? 12.Rab1 Nc6 !12…Qxc4 13.Ne5 Qa6 14.dxc5 ⩲/ 12…cxd4 13.cxd4 Qxc4 14.Rfc1 Qa6 15.d5 ! ± 

13.Qd3 d6 13…Na5 14.dxc5 ! ⩲ 

14.Rfd1! Rd8?

14…b6 15.dxc5 dxc5 16.Qd6 ! ± 14…Na5 15.dxc5 dxc5 16.Ne5 ! ± 14…a6 !? 

15.dxc5! dxc5 16.Qxd8+ Nxd8 17.Rxd8+ Kf7 18.Ne5+Kf6

18…Ke7 19.Rbd1 Qxa2 20.Bxb7! Bxb7 21.R1d7+ Kf6 22.f4 !+− 

19.f4 Qxa2 20.Rbd1 Qxe2 21.Bf3 Qe3+ 22.Kg2 a5

22…g6 23.R8d3 ! +− 

23.Rf8+Ke7 24.Rf7+ Ke8 25.Rxg7 Kf8 26.Rf7+ Ke8 27.Rxh7

1–0