Why CEO’s love Chess

How & Why Chess Improves Leadership

The game of chess is so ingrained in leadership, that one cannot be brought up without the other. The game of chess is a game of immense strategy, much like the current corporate world.

Chess strategy is what makes chess such a beautiful game. After the memorized opening moves are played and each player starts to unfold their plan, the real chess begins to take place. Everyone likes to study opening theory and learn end game techniques but the middle chess game is where most games are won and lost. Many games will end in resignation even before an endgame takes place.

This statement is remarkably similar to the current business environment today and to those who lead it. Hundreds of companies make all the right moves at the beginning, obtain funding from key investors, develop thorough business plans, and handpick key executives to lead the company, but still fail to succeed.

Very few businesses transpire into a success even after several years of operation. After the initial launch, things start moving at a fast pace. Just like in chess, the middle game is where a start-up prospers or liquidates.