Politics and Chess

The Netherlands [ENA] Politics is often compared to chess, and I believe this analogy is quite accurate. Just as chess has a king, queen, other pieces, and pawns, politics has its own counterparts. In chess, sometimes pawns, pieces, and even the queen are sacrificed to achieve victory—this is also true in politics. Every move in chess is designed to protect the king, ensuring he is not checkmated -

similarly, in politics, the primary goal is often to protect the leader. Advancing a pawn to the final rank on the board is not easy—just as climbing the ladder of success in politics is a difficult task. However, if a pawn manages to reach that final square, it can transform into any piece—something that also happens in politics. Stalemates in chess are rare, as players generally strive for victory—the same applies to politics, where conceding defeat is never easy. Sometimes, in a chess game, attention is deliberately diverted, and an unexpected strategy is implemented—just as it frequently occurs in politics. In short, the parallels between chess and politics are endless.

In recent days, the global media has not been discussing the Ukraine-Russia war and the U.S. position with the same intensity as before. What once dominated headlines has now shifted to the background, with attention focusing more on Turkey. Currently, the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul has become a major topic in the media. Undoubtedly, this event is significant for Turkey, but ultimately, it can be considered a domestic political issue. Meanwhile, the Ukraine-Russia war is not just an internal matter between two countries; it is a global event with international consequences.

Does the media’s reduced focus on this war mean that negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia have stalled? Personally, I don’t believe so. I think an agreement regarding Ukraine’s natural resources will soon be signed, and a ceasefire will be reached in the near future. There is even a possibility that a peace agreement may follow. For now, however, attention has shifted away from this issue—or perhaps, it has been deliberately diverted.

What truly intrigues me is the current state of these negotiations. Who will emerge victorious at the end of this war, and who will suffer defeat? Which "king" will be forced into a stalemate? At this moment, it seems that Russia is closer to achieving its objectives. From the beginning, Russia opposed Ukraine’s NATO membership, and it appears that Ukraine will not be joining the alliance. I also find it unlikely that Crimea will be returned. The regions that have separated from Ukraine will likely insist on maintaining their "independence." The U.S. has openly declared its interests, and it seems poised to achieve its goals as well.

It is highly probable that European countries will take part in rebuilding Ukraine’s war-torn infrastructure, and a significant portion of the funds allocated for this effort will end up benefiting Western economies. But what will Ukraine gain from all of this? In this game, who was the king, who was the queen? Who were the major pieces, and who were merely pawns? The answers to these questions will become clear with time.

But at this moment, I recall a passage from Stefan Zweig’s book Chess Story: "Any child can learn the basic rules, any amateur can try their hand at the game, but within this rigid, narrow square, various kinds of masters emerge—some with unique chess talents, others with a precise, methodical approach, comparable to mathematicians, poets, or musicians, though in a different form and structure." To be honest, the situation Zelensky finds himself in reminds me of a quote from Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom: "Politics is not a game to be played for distraction." And now, the "game" is nearing its end… As they say, when the game is over, all the pieces are put back into the box, and the players shake hands.