Behind every great move in chess lies strategy, foresight, and precision — three values that resonate deeply with the heartbeat of the hospitality industry.
On this International Chess Day, we don’t just celebrate a timeless game — we celebrate the thinking it inspires: planning ahead, adapting under pressure, and always staying two steps ahead.
A Brief History of Chess
Chess traces its origins to Chaturanga, an ancient Indian war strategy game dating back to the 6th century. It evolved across Persia and the Islamic world, eventually reaching Europe and becoming the modern game we know today.
In 1966, International Chess Day was established by FIDE (World Chess Federation) and recognized by UNESCO to honor the global impact of the game — not only as a sport but also as a tool for cognitive development and cross-cultural connection.
What Chess Teaches Us in Hospitality?
Much like chess, hospitality success depends on more than just reacting — it requires strategic thinking, long-term planning, and reading the board (i.e., the market, guest behavior, and competition).
Let’s draw some parallels:
| Chess Element | Hospitality Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Opening Move | First impression at check-in or entry |
| Mid-Game Strategy | Operational efficiency, guest experience |
| Endgame Tactics | Billing, feedback, retention, re-bookings |
| Sacrifice | Comping a service to win guest loyalty |
| Checkmate | A flawless stay that creates a lifelong fan |
♛ Hospitality Leaders as Chess Masters
In your hotel or restaurant:
- The Front Office Manager is like a Knight — always in motion, solving unusual situations
- The Housekeeping Head plays like a Bishop — quiet, methodical, and vital behind the scenes
- The GM is the Queen — the most powerful, navigating across all departments
- And the Guest? They’re the King — everything revolves around their satisfaction
Understanding each piece — and how they work together — is what makes a property successful.
Chess, Learning & the Guest Experience
More hotels are introducing:
- Chess boards in lounges or cafes
- Chess-themed events for families and corporate guests
- Mind games in kids’ clubs to foster skill-building
- Collaborations with local chess academies for weekend tournaments
Chess offers a quiet, classy, and intellectual activity — a perfect fit for high-end resorts and boutique properties that want to offer more than just recreation.
A Nod to Indian Chess Champs
Let’s not forget the pride of Indian hospitality and intellect:
- Viswanathan Anand1, India’s first Grandmaster and five-time World Champion
- Rising stars like R. Praggnanandhaa2, Gukesh D3, and Divya Deshmukh4, who carry India’s legacy on the world stage
Their discipline, focus, and humility echo the core values of service leadership in hospitality.
♞ Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game
Whether it’s running a hotel or playing chess, the key to excellence is thinking ahead, knowing your players, and moving with purpose.
So today, take a pause — maybe even pick up a game of chess in the lobby.
And remember: every great hospitality experience is a well-planned strategy in motion.
Happy International Chess Day from all of us at Hospitality Herald!
#InternationalChessDay #HospitalityStrategy #CheckInCheckmate #ChessAndHospitality #ServiceLeadership #HospitalityHerald #MindfulOperations #GameOfHospitality #ThinkAheadServeBetter #IndianChessPride #ViswanathanAnand #RPraggnanandhaa #GukeshD #DivyaDeshmukh #ChaturangaToCheckmate #WilsonPanneerselvam
- Viswanathan Anand (born December 11, 1969, in Chennai) is a five-time World Chess Champion and India’s first Grandmaster (1988). Known as the “Tiger of Madras,” he held the world title from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2013. Renowned for his speed and versatility, Anand was the first to win world titles in knockout, tournament, and match formats. He remains a global ambassador for chess and serves as a vice president of FIDE (World Chess Federation). ↩︎
- R Praggnanandhaa (born 2005) is a chess grandmaster from Chennai, India, and one of the youngest to achieve the title at age 12. He has since become India’s top-ranked player, known for defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen in multiple formats and winning major international tournaments, including the Tata Steel Masters and the Superbet Chess Classic in 2025. ↩︎
- D Gukesh (Dommaraju Gukesh; born 29 May 2006 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu) is an Indian chess grandmaster who became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in December 2024 at age 18. A prodigy, he earned his GM title at 12 and became the youngest to cross 2750 Elo. In April 2024, he won the Candidates Tournament (youngest-ever challenger), then dethroned Ding Liren in Singapore to claim the world crown. By March 2025 he was ranked world no. 3 with a peak rating of 2794, and he continues to excel in elite rapid and blitz events. ↩︎
- Divya Deshmukh (born December 9, 2005, in Nagpur) is an Indian chess International Master (2023) and Woman Grandmaster (2021), reigning FIDE World Junior Girls’ Champion (2024). A key member of India’s gold-winning team at the 45th Chess Olympiad, she’s also a three-time Olympiad gold-medalist. Ranked among the world’s top 20 women (FIDE ~2463, July 2025), she’s known for major upsets—including victories over Zhu Jiner at the Women’s World Cup and over former world no. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2025 World Rapid & Blitz Team Champs—and a collection of continental and national titles. ↩︎
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