I’ve always been fascinated by how cultures around the world treat chess. In Hungary, many see it either as a childhood pastime or a competitive sport. Meanwhile, in some Eastern countries, people sit down to play as casually as we’d chat over coffee. There, chess isn’t just a game — it’s a way of thinking that shapes strategy and decision-making. Recently, I was invited by the ‘Future Builders’ Generation’s Association’ (Hungarian: Jövőt Építők Generációja Egyesület, JÉG) to speak with young entrepreneurs and leaders eager to learn and grow. The event’s name speaks for itself: if these future builders make chess a natural part of daily life, it could seamlessly become a powerful thinking tool in the business world, too.

Why not adopt that habit ourselves? Chess trains foresight, patience, and analytical skills — all critical in business, too. Whenever I work with aspiring leaders, I highlight these key parallels:
• Treat it as a mental workout — just like going to the gym, but for your brain
• Look for lessons in every game and use them to build resilience
• Focus on patterns: the ability to spot subtle cues translates directly to better decision-making
• Recognize that each “move” counts, whether on the board or in a boardroom

If we can embrace the culture that sees chess as natural and essential, we’ll not only raise our level of play but also sharpen our mindset for success. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned manager, or someone simply seeking to expand mental horizons, there’s real power in making strategic thinking part of your daily routine. After all, chess is more than 64 squares — it’s a framework for navigating complexity and staying a few steps ahead.

Remember: Don’t skip your mental gym session! — play chess every day and keep your brain in championship shape!