Engineering The Queen's Gambit

Perhaps you have watched, as I have, the show The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix and have been intrigued by the game of Chess enough to have at least thought you would like to play. It goes without saying that with the show there may be a resurgence in Chess players from around the world; collectively will be a good thing for our society.

Chess is something that I have made a habit of for a long time. It requires sometimes immense concentration and is always hungry for critical thinking skills. It is, for me, as much of a tool for developing thinking skills as it is a game with one winner and one loser (or sometimes no winner or loser). 

The show tells the story of Beth Harmon, a chess savant (Beth is not a real historical character) who wows the world with her skills in beating Grandmasters. Perhaps when we think of historical chess Grandmasters, we think of Fischer, Capablanca, Spassky, and Kasparov, all chess geniuses. Nevertheless, I also think that each of these people did not just wake up one day with a gift (although they were gifted), it was something they developed through time, practice, and patience.

“Chess demands total concentration” – Bobby Fischer

Whenever I speak to young people about the skills they need to hone to become great data scientists, engineers, or information technology professionals, I implore them to add chess to their routine. I ask this because chess shares the same discipline it takes to solve complex problems and developing these skills is not just limited to study, classes, and trial by error. Why not fill your toolbox with as many tools as you have available to you?

The Queen’s Gambit is a popular opening chess move (d4 d5, c4), and defending it is something that is in the repertoire of every good chess player. And I’m extending the invitation to you to utilize this most underrated way of developing skills you need to hone and maintain to be successful in an engineering discipline.