Chess is a game of skill. But at the highest levels, it's almost a game of luck.
In the last Chess World Championship Finals, the winner only won 57% of matches. If there was no luck involved, they would have won 100%.
Most instances of luck (that are non-environmental) stem from the aggregation of human actions, which cascade into an opportunity you can take advantage of.
It's lucky for you. But it could technically be called an error for all the other humans involved if your advantage was unintended.
Your proximity to the opportunity will determine how 'lucky' / random the cascade feels. In a fight/game, it might feel like you created the opportunity. But the reality is that a series of small changes could have led to a different conclusion. So luck, fortune and error are entwined.
This interconnectedness of luck and skill extends beyond games and into various aspects of life:
In sports, a "lucky shot" is often the result of years of practice meeting a split-second opportunity.
In scientific discoveries, serendipity plays a role, but it favours the prepared mind.
In entrepreneurship, timing is crucial, but so is the ability to recognise and act on opportunities.
Understanding this relationship can shape our approach to success:
Cultivate skills to increase your chances of recognising and seizing opportunities.
Remain open to unexpected turns of events; they might be the "luck" you need.
Remember that others' misfortunes or mistakes might create your opportunities and vice versa, so be empathetic and appropriately humble.
