After watching, Garry Kasparov's appearance CNN on 2/28/2025. I decided to write this article.
Zelensky should have had a translator with him. His English is good, but not good enough. The meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky fell apart due to four reasons:
Both Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov claim chess is life or imitates life. Zelensky is in a losing game, but he has not lost yet. He has a draw in the offering. He cannot drive out Russia from Russian-occupied lands. He has a stalemate now, he can't win this game. He must accept this fact and go for the draw to end this struggle.
He must leave his personal animosity for Putin aside. In chess, you can hate your opponent across the board from you. You can even exchange some kicks, but shouldn't. But you still have to do business with your hated opponent, especially if your opponent is stronger than you and has a material and time advantage.
Zelensky cannot win this game. If he does not pursue peace, he can lose the 1/2 point he holds now. The opportunity for peace must be explored now.
In chess, you must face your hated opponent again and again. You must prepare for these future encounters. Garry Kasparov faced defeat against Anatoly Karpov in their first world championship match. Garry was down 5-0 after about 20 games, held fast, and was able to draw the match. Garry wisely learned from it and prepared for their future matches. I saw the animosity both Garry and Anatoly showed each other during their encounter at ABC Studios in New york city in December 2002. I was doing board-side reporting for Chess fm.. I followed them out after the 2nd game encounter in to a private area. The silence was deafening. Karpov got the better of Garry in that 4 game rapid match.
Zelensky must do the same here: accept the draw, rebuild, and prepare for future struggles.
Boris Spassky recent passing on 2/25/2025 make me think back to the 1972 World Championship Match, between Boris and Robert J. Fischer. It was Boris who offered Bobby the olive branch, several times during the match. The first came when Bobby did not show up on time for the match and missed the opening ceremony. The second olive branch was given when Bobby failed to show up for game two after blowing an equal position in game one. The third olive branch was given when Boris agreed to play the third game in a private game room away from observing fans. Boris offered a fourth olive branch when he stood up and applauded Bobby's brilliant game 6th win with the Queen's Gambit Declined. Boris had many opportunities to go back to Russia with his title. He selflessly decided to stay and play the match. This selfless act allowed the world to watch this interesting match. After the match, Boris said he lost a chess match, that's all. This match had geopolitical implications that both Boris and Bobby were caught up in. Bobby got a call from then Secretary of State, Henry Kissenger, urging Bobby to play the match. Boris had been pressured to not go ahead with the match. Back in Soviet Union, Boris faced repercussions for losing the match. The match help promote the game of chess in the US and around the world.
Many will say this was just a chess match. However , we know chess imitates life and we can use chess thinking in our daily lives, and especially in Geopolitical conflicts.
ABC Studios Match game 1-2