FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship: Decision-Making: From Chessboard to Boardroom
Leadership Lessons from the 2025 FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship. Corporate chess is growing faster than ever. Companies like Google, J.P. Morgan, and UBS now have huge chess communities with hundreds or even thousands of active players. From casual games to internal tournaments, chess has become a part of workplace culture across the world.
In today’s competitive global market, strategic thinking is one of the most valuable skills a leader can have. While strategy often sounds like a business term, it is also the foundation of chess — a game built on planning, patience, and smart decision-making.
Chess is not just entertainment. It teaches planning, risk assessment, and tactical execution. These same skills help leaders make better decisions and guide their teams toward long-term success.
Gabor Szamoskozi from Morgan Stanley summed it up well: every move in chess, just like every decision at work, must be thoughtful, well-timed, and part of a larger plan.
The 2025 FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship
During the 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa, eleven top global companies competed in the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship. For a few exciting days, the world’s biggest brands battled not in boardrooms, but on chessboards.
Technology firms, financial institutions, consulting giants, engineering leaders, and fast-growing startups all came together. The event highlighted how important chess has become inside modern workplaces.
World no.7 R. Praggnanandhaa praised the event during his visit, calling it a “positive and unique opportunity” for companies to engage with the game.
After intense online qualifiers and the final showdown in Goa:
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Greco won the title of 2025 Corporate Chess Champion
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Morgan Stanley finished second
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Deloitte and Google secured third and fourth place
Greco was officially recognised as the smartest company in the world.
Decision-Making: Lessons from Chess
Chess and business both demand sharp decision-making under pressure. In a chess game, players must choose the best move quickly, even with incomplete information.
As Filippos Stamos of Microsoft explained, time management can decide a win or a loss — in chess and in the workplace. A month-long project can still fail if the urgency isn’t recognised early.
Managers face the same challenges: tight deadlines, limited data, and the need to make confident decisions without stress.
International Master Mateusz Kolosowski from Deloitte shared how handling pressure in chess helped him take responsibility in his corporate role. Every move matters — on the board and at work.
Women in Chess and Business
Hallgerdur Helga Thorsteindottir was the only woman competing in the Goa finals. She hopes more women join future editions and believes firms should actively support inclusivity.
Playing for Deloitte motivated her further. She believes chess deserves more visibility in corporate life and events like this help bridge that gap.
Leadership Through Chess
Chess teaches powerful leadership qualities:
✔ Learning from mistakes
A poor move may cost a piece in chess; in business, it can cost growth. Stamos shared how analysing games helped shape a culture of reflection and improvement at Microsoft.
✔ Vision and purpose
Strong chess players think with a clear goal. Leaders also need a mission that guides their teams.
✔ Resilience and emotional strength
Chess forces players to stay calm when positions get tough. Kolosowski spoke about leading his team at Deloitte — supporting teammates, organising responsibilities, and keeping morale high.
✔ Adaptability
No chess game goes exactly as planned. Likewise, businesses must adjust quickly to changing markets and technologies.
Chess and Career Growth
Many professionals credit chess for boosting their analytical thinking. Some use the game to develop strategy, while others use it to train patience and planning.
Anand Nerkar of Tech Mahindra shared how chess helps him evaluate future trends and make smarter decisions.
Kolosowski added that mistakes should never be feared. Bold decisions often lead to growth, both on the chessboard and in corporate life.
Chess is Cool — and Growing in Workplaces!
Team captains from Google, J.P. Morgan, and UBS highlighted how fast chess communities are expanding inside companies.
Over 2,500 active players, including senior executives. Online and over-the-board tournaments keep the community active.
J.P. Morgan
A global chess club with 500 members across different countries. Local chess communities are growing rapidly within the company.
UBS
A long-running chess tradition in Zurich with 400–500 active players. Now expanding in the USA, India, and other global offices.
With events like the Corporate World Championship, more employees are inspired to join and enjoy the game.
Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
