Over the past 10 years, I have been a professional marketer, but also, beyond that, an avid chess player. I started playing chess during elementary and high school, but it wasn't until recently that I rediscovered the habit, thanks to a wonderful community, where I am now an active member.

As a business consultant and head of a strategy planning team, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time studying the history and nature of strategy—whether from the ancient Chinese warfare of Sun Tzu, Roman battles with Hannibal, modern warfare, or business marketing. This magical journey has taken me from being a novice to an experienced strategist.

So, what are the common principles between chess and marketing, and how can the principles of chess benefit the strategic planning process in marketing? Personally, I believe that everyone, regardless of their profession, should try playing chess. Aside from the intellectual benefits already well-known, such as increasing IQ, reducing memory loss, or simply training the mind, many principles of chess closely resemble what I’ve been doing in marketing for the past decade. This is essentially to share my perspective on how chess can inspire marketers and businesspeople, particularly in terms of strategy.

1. The Opening: Getting it Right from the Start

Contrary to the popular belief that beginners should start learning chess with openings, they should actually begin with endgames and tactics. In reality, openings are typically for football tips who have mastered everything else and are now looking to control the entire game better through broad strategic setups. Since openings lay the strategic groundwork for the entire game, they don't hold much value if a player lacks the experience to grasp the deeper implications of each move.

In marketing, I believe that if a company operates in a familiar, well-established market, strategy is essential. However, if the market is new and the company functions like a startup, they should focus on other priorities, not strategy. In short, strategy is only necessary when execution has been mastered, and there is a thorough understanding of the situation the company is facing. Otherwise, don’t worry about strategy.

2. The Middlegame: Big Strategy and Detailed Tactics

Unlike the common perception that chess is the epitome of strategy, seasoned players often know that chess is 90% about tactics—the precise sequence of moves aimed at achieving tangible or even intangible advantages like better positioning. In this case, strategy still holds importance but only for advanced players who have already mastered the detailed tactics.

Similarly, I believe marketing strategy only becomes significant for businesses once they have matured or passed the initial stages of their growth cycle. Before that, tactics remain the key to survival first, and growth later. In marketing practice, young companies can afford a certain level of disorder, and that’s completely normal. Strategy only becomes necessary when they enter a phase of betting tips app and require a well-established operational foundation.

3. The Middlegame: Timing and Precision

Chess has four main formats: classical, rapid, blitz, and bullet. A classical chess game can last up to 200 minutes, while a bullet game often finishes in under 3 minutes. In classical chess, strategy plays a crucial role after the opening for both sides. A match may consist of fewer than 60 moves per side; however, a single strategic move that sets the fundamentals for the entire game can take up to 20 minutes to consider.

In bullet chess, things are entirely different. There’s a basic rule for all bullet players: “Don’t make any ridiculous blunders,” and that’s it! There’s a trade-off between time and precision, but when a player must make around 40 moves in 3 minutes, speed is the key to survival. For this reason, too much time spent on strategic thinking can result in a disadvantage or even losing the game.

In marketing practice, many market opportunities come and go extremely quickly in today’s fast-paced business environment, much like bullet chess. For this reason, spending too much time on planning may lead to missed opportunities. When time is short, a time-consuming strategy is not appropriate.

4. Middle Game: Precision in Sequenced Execution

In chess, tactics involve a series of moves that must be executed with absolute precision. A single mistake can ruin all efforts and may even turn the game into a disadvantage. Unlike detailed tactics, strategy offers many variations and doesn’t prescribe specific moves. It might simply involve the player focusing their entire attention on breaking a certain balance on the board or concentrating all resources on one area of the chess battle.

In marketing practice, major strategies still need flexibility and quick adjustments depending on market conditions. However, tactics and daily operations must be aligned and executed precisely to be effective. These should be carefully considered and supported by strong analytical reasoning. This can be compared to a sequence of actions where success won't be achieved if one action is missed or poorly executed.

See more: Share chess betting tips from experts

5. Endgame: Survival Tactics

When two players are of equal skill, the game is highly likely to reach the endgame. In fact, achieving a victory in the middle game against an equally skilled opponent is challenging due to the numerous variations added with each move. Chess grandmasters always keep potential endgame scenarios in mind from the very start of the game. Similarly, contingency plans or escape routes are necessary for all businesses.

However, the endgame is brief and requires a high level of precision, much like detailed tactics, without much room for broader strategy. One wrong move can change the entire outcome of the game. In practical marketing terms, strategies represent high-risk investments but require perfect precision to achieve favorable outcomes. Once again, tactical precision is key to ensuring a business operates smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Likewise, contingency plans or exit strategies are essential for all businesses. No matter how perfect a plan may seem, there is always a chance for errors, and business owners should be prepared to clean up after the endgame.

Thirdly, it is advised that all beginners should learn endgame strategies first, as I believe it is similar to understanding a business from the ground up before actually planning a strategy for it.