Strategic Moves: What Chess Can Teach Us About Resolving Disputes

Today, the World Chess Championship kicks off in Dubai, and it’s set to be an incredible battle of minds. Reigning champion Ding Liren is defending his title against 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, the youngest challenger in modern chess history, breaking the 40-year-old record set by legendary Garry Kasparov in 1984.

Over the next few weeks, every move they make will be scrutinised as they play a best-of-14 series to decide who takes the crown.

For those unfamiliar, the Championship is more than just a board game. It’s a test of strategy, patience, and adaptability, where every move matters, mistakes are costly, and staying calm under pressure is essential.

Sound familiar? It’s not unlike resolving disputes in business.

At Escalate Disputes , we know that achieving success often comes down to having the right strategy. Just like in chess, resolving disputes requires thinking ahead, planning your moves, and knowing when to attack or hold back

• Think Ahead: It's never about the move in front of you—it’s about the bigger picture. Similarly, when we take on a dispute, we look beyond the immediate problem and focus on getting the best possible outcome for our clients.
• Know Your Opponent: Players study their rivals to predict their next moves. In disputes, understanding the motivations and strategies of the other side helps us stay one step ahead.
• Use Your Resources Wisely: You don’t move every piece just because you can. We apply the same principle in disputes, focusing on actions that will make the biggest impact while keeping costs under control.
• Be Flexible: Games rarely go to plan, and disputes can take unexpected turns too. That’s why we stay adaptable, ready to shift tactics when the situation demands it.

Watching Gukesh and Ding face off today reminds us that success—whether on the chessboard or in the business world—doesn’t come from acting impulsively. It comes from making smart, calculated moves.

So, as the first moves are played, it’s worth asking: do you have the right strategy for resolving your disputes? At Escalate, we help businesses take control, make confident decisions, and come out ahead—no matter how complex the situation.

It’s your move—are you ready to make it count?

Escalate Disputes is a multi-award winning litigation law firm delivering the number one packaged solution for commercial disputes up to £2 million. 🏆