As part of the celebration of the life of Suara Adediran, the Suara Adediran foundation and his family are sharing with friends and well wishers Suara Adediran discussing his life experiences and principles. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace.
As a scientist and a passionate chess player, I have often found parallels between the game of chess and the process of scientific research. Both require strategic thinking, careful planning, and the ability to anticipate future moves. Whether in a game or in the lab, success is not just about making the right decision in the moment, but also about thinking several steps ahead. The mindset I’ve developed over decades of playing chess has deeply influenced my approach to research, and I believe the two disciplines share a natural and valuable intersection.
In this blog, I want to explore how the principles of chess—calculation, foresight, patience, and adaptability—mirror the intellectual rigor of scientific research. Chess is more than just a game, and science is more than just a profession. Both are lifelong pursuits of knowledge and understanding, and both teach us valuable lessons about how to approach challenges in research and in life.
Chess and the Scientific Method
At first glance, chess and science may seem worlds apart. One is a board game, and the other is a quest for empirical truth. However, they share a fundamental framework: the scientific method. In both chess and science, progress is achieved through careful observation, experimentation, and analysis.
When I sit down to play a game of chess, the first thing I do is observe the board. I take stock of my opponent’s pieces, assess potential threats, and plan my opening moves. This is much like the initial stages of a research project, where we gather information, review the literature, and formulate hypotheses. In both cases, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the situation before proceeding.
In chess, every move is like an experiment. You execute a plan and then observe how your opponent responds. In scientific research, we conduct experiments, analyze the results, and use those results to refine our approach. In both disciplines, we must be prepared to adjust our strategy based on new information. Just as a chess player must be flexible enough to change tactics mid-game, a researcher must be open to modifying their hypotheses when confronted with unexpected results.
Patience and Long-Term Planning
One of the most important qualities a chess player can develop is patience. Success in chess is rarely achieved through hasty or impulsive moves. It requires the ability to think several moves ahead and wait for the right opportunity to strike. This is a lesson that translates directly into the world of scientific research.
In science, the path to discovery is often slow and methodical. Experiments must be repeated, data must be meticulously analyzed, and theories must be refined over time. Impatience in research can lead to errors, missed opportunities, or flawed conclusions. As a researcher, I learned that breakthroughs do not happen overnight. They are the result of years—sometimes decades—of careful planning and steady progress.
Just as in chess, where a well-executed long-term strategy can lead to victory, in science, the most significant discoveries often come from researchers who are willing to play the long game. They have the foresight to see beyond immediate results and the patience to pursue their goals with discipline.
Anticipation and Adaptability
Another key lesson from chess is the importance of anticipation. A skilled chess player always thinks several moves ahead, anticipating their opponent’s responses and planning counter-moves accordingly. This ability to foresee future possibilities is also a critical skill in scientific research.
In the lab, as in chess, we must always be thinking about the next step. What will the results of this experiment tell us? What will we do if the results are unexpected? Anticipating different outcomes allows us to be better prepared and more adaptable in our approach.
However, it’s not enough to simply anticipate. We must also be adaptable when things don’t go as planned. In chess, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by a single unexpected move from your opponent. Similarly, in research, experiments often yield surprising or even disappointing results. When this happens, it’s important to be flexible and adjust your approach. The ability to pivot and explore new avenues is essential for both scientists and chess players.
The Role of Creativity in Chess and Science
While both chess and science require logical, methodical thinking, they also demand creativity. A good chess player must be able to think outside the box, devising unique strategies to outmaneuver their opponent. Similarly, in scientific research, creativity is often the key to solving complex problems.
Many of the most significant scientific breakthroughs have come from researchers who were willing to think differently, to challenge established norms, and to explore unconventional ideas. In my own career, I found that the most exciting moments in research were often when I stumbled upon something unexpected and allowed my curiosity and creativity to guide me toward new discoveries.
Chess teaches us to be resourceful, to make the best of the pieces we have on the board. In the same way, science teaches us to use the tools and knowledge at our disposal to push the boundaries of what we know. Both disciplines encourage us to think beyond the obvious and to approach problems with a sense of curiosity and innovation.
Chess as a Lifelong Teacher
As I reflect on my years as a scientist and a chess player, I realize that chess has taught me many lessons that extend beyond the board and the lab. Chess teaches us humility, because no matter how skilled we become, there is always more to learn. It teaches us resilience, because losses—whether in chess or in research—are inevitable. And it teaches us the value of practice, discipline, and constant improvement.
In the same way, science is a lifelong journey of learning. Every experiment, every paper, and every discovery brings new questions and new challenges. The pursuit of knowledge is never-ending, and like chess, it is filled with moments of both triumph and frustration.
Strategic Thinking for Life
The intersection of chess and science has been a guiding force in my life. Both have taught me to think strategically, to plan carefully, and to remain adaptable in the face of challenges. They have shown me the value of patience, creativity, and long-term thinking. But perhaps most importantly, they have reminded me that the pursuit of knowledge—whether in a chess match or in the lab—is not about immediate success. It’s about the journey, the challenges, and the growth that comes from pushing ourselves to think deeper, learn more, and strive for excellence.
In both chess and science, there is always a next move, a new discovery waiting just around the corner. And it is this sense of possibility that keeps us coming back, ready to think strategically, adapt to the unexpected, and continue learning for a lifetime.