tiánjì

田忌 (tián jì) is the name of a historical figure from the Warring States period in ancient China, traditionally described as a general of the state of Qi. The given name 忌 and the surname 田 together form the common appellation. The most famous aspect associated with him is the anecdote known as 田忌赛马 (Tian Ji saima), a strategic parable about competitive tactics.

Historical records about 田忌 are often terse and the veracity of the details is debated. The story of Tian Ji racing horses appears in later classical compilations and has become a widely cited example in Chinese literature and philosophy of strategy. In the tale, Tian Ji, advised by a strategist (often identified with Sun Bin), arranges his horses into three categories and changes the matchup strategy against a rival state. By pitting his best horses against the rival’s worst, his middle horses against the rival’s middle, and his worst against the rival’s best, he achieves two wins out of three, demonstrating how challenging odds can be overcome through deliberate resource allocation and testing different strategies.

The phrase 田忌赛马 has entered broader usage as a proverb for strategic thinking, optimization, and competitive planning. It is frequently referenced in discussions of management, sports, and problem-solving to illustrate the principle of using resources efficiently by rearranging matches rather than relying on raw power alone.

Overall, 田忌 remains a figure whose name is attached to a foundational example of tactical thinking, with the horse-race story shaping its enduring cultural and educational impact.