In chess, we make certain moves both in order to checkmate and to avoid being checkmated.
There is a constant balance of trying to win and trying to avoid losing.
It’s important to think ahead in life the same way we think ahead in chess.
When you are considering making the next move, it’s good to first think through the outcomes that could lead to a bad situation, or worse, being check-mated.
In chess, losing a powerful piece, such as a rook or a knight, will leave you significantly disadvantaged.
In life, this is the equivalent to earning a life sentence in prison, becoming paralyzed, or causing a divorce — things that aren’t quite “game over,” but things that will create a new permanent reality for you.
The ultimate checkmate of life is death — death ends one’s life just as a checkmate ends a chess game, leaving behind only the remembrance of the preceding sequence of moves.
Once you’ve thought through all the harmful outcomes, next look for your wins.
Your victory will often unknowingly be within arms reach. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve analyzed my past chess games and discovered a checkmate in two moves that I missed during the game.
Instead of always looking for the next way to create a win, ask yourself if you already have one. Sometimes it’s more about noticing what you have rather than creating something new.
And if there’s no obvious checkmate, don’t throw a hail mary to find one. Instead, build a strong foundation to set up future opportunities and avoid total destruction. In chess, develop your pieces, get your knights in the center of the board, and connect your pawns. In life, build good habits, never stop learning, and surround yourself with the right people.