Chess and Science: What analogies do you see from your field?

Hello everyone,

I’m a chess coach and also a chemical engineer. Many years ago, I began to notice that several principles we apply in chemistry have fascinating parallels in chess. Here are a few examples that might inspire a new way of looking at our games:

Dynamic equilibrium: In chemistry, a system in dynamic equilibrium has reactions occurring in both directions at the same rate. In chess, we often see this in tense positions where any move can tip the balance. Would you play cxd4, or keep the tension?

Activation energy: For a chemical reaction to occur, it must overcome an energy barrier. In chess, we often give up material to "activate" the position and trigger a chain reaction.

Catalysts: A catalyst speeds up a reaction without being consumed. Isn’t that similar to doubled rooks or a centralized knight exerting pressure on key squares without moving?

What do you think of these analogies?
Have you ever noticed similar connections from your own profession or academic field?

I’d love to read your thoughts.

Great post! Really made me think!

As an economics student, I often see chess as a model of decision-making. For example:

1- Opportunity cost: Every move has a price, not just in material or time, but in what you're giving up by not playing something else. Like in economics, it's all about trade-offs.
2- Marginal analysis: We’re constantly evaluating small improvements. Is repositioning a bishop worth it? Is that pawn push better now or later? Just like calculating marginal benefits.
3- Resource allocation: Limited time, space, and pieces: chess forces us to allocate them wisely, just like a firm managing resources to reach its goals.

Seeing chess through the lens of economics gives the game even more depth.

@Professor74 said in #1:

Hello everyone,

I’m a chess coach and also a chemical engineer. Many years ago, I began to notice that several principles we apply in chemistry have fascinating parallels in chess. Here are a few examples that might inspire a new way of looking at our games:

Dynamic equilibrium: In chemistry, a system in dynamic equilibrium has reactions occurring in both directions at the same rate. In chess, we often see this in tense positions where any move can tip the balance. Would you play cxd4, or keep the tension?

Activation energy: For a chemical reaction to occur, it must overcome an energy barrier. In chess, we often give up material to "activate" the position and trigger a chain reaction.

Catalysts: A catalyst speeds up a reaction without being consumed. Isn’t that similar to doubled rooks or a centralized knight exerting pressure on key squares without moving?

What do you think of these analogies?
Have you ever noticed similar connections from your own profession or academic field?

I’d love to read your thoughts.
@Janellemax20 said in #2:
This is such an original and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing it!

As an economics student, I also see interesting parallels between chess and economic principles. For example:

Opportunity cost: Every move in chess has a cost, not just in terms of material or time, but in what you give up by not choosing another move. Just like in economics, every decision comes with the cost of the next best alternative.

Marginal analysis: In economics, we evaluate the additional benefit of a small change. In chess, we often assess whether a slight positional improvement (like repositioning a bishop or pushing a pawn) really gives us an edge; move by move, we're analyzing the "marginal benefit" of each idea.

Resource allocation: Just as firms allocate scarce resources to maximize output, chess players must decide how to use their limited resources (time, material, and space) to control key areas and achieve long-term goals.

I love the idea of looking at chess through different academic lenses. It makes me appreciate the depth of the game even more!

Interesting post. I’m applying to medical school, and chess actually reminds me of a few core ideas from biology.

One is homeostasis
The body’s way of maintaining internal balance under changing conditions. In chess, we also try to keep balance in tense positions, resisting the pressure.

Another is feedback loops
In physiology, feedback helps regulate systems. In chess, our moves influence the opponent’s response, which then shapes our next move: constant adjustment, like in the body.

In physics and thermodynamics: entropy, as the game progresses we lose pieces and the order of the starting position is generally lost.

@Professor74 - I was a process operator for 23 years, and worked at a chemical plant and a crude oil refinery. I also worked at a oil shale and refinery research facility. I worked closely with chemical engineers. Working at such places requires a coordinated, combinative and sequential effort to get the job done. Timing is very important. Lining up valves correctly, in the proper sequence, is important to keep the place from blowing up...I'm not kidding! Assumptions aren't an option either. - :]

Sacking ones Queen for the greater good. :).

@Skittle-Head What a joy to read your comment! It’s always a privilege to connect with someone who has worked hands-on in the field. I have great respect for the work you did. Operating in such high-stakes environments requires discipline, precision, and deep knowledge. Coordinated systems, strict timing, and the need to avoid assumptions... it all resonates strongly.

Your analogy with chess is simply brilliant. The image of valves being lined up in perfect sequence reminds me so much of piece coordination on the board. One wrong move, and the whole plan collapses. And yes, no room for guesswork in either field!

Thanks for sharing your experience. It adds so much depth to this discussion.

@Professor74 - Thankyou for your nice response. You made me feel good!
There were times, while working at the refinery, when 'just working for the pay check', was superseded by working really hard, to be kept, from being 'Blown to Smithereens'. That's when you really earn your pay. - :]

I once took a woodworking class. Not because I wanted to become a carpenter, but because I thought it would help me “build” patience. On the first day, I was so focused on measuring everything perfectly that I forgot to lock the clamp. The wood slipped and the piece flew.
What struck me later was how much carpentry has in common with chess. You need precision, planning, and a steady hand. One rushed cut, or move, can ruin the whole structure. And just like in chess, you measure twice. But in this case, cut only once!
Ever since that class, every time I blunder a piece on the board, I joke to myself, “Next time, clamp the position first.”