The Belgrade School of Engineering Management welcomed chess grandmaster Vladimir Potkin, European champion and national team coach, for an inspiring lecture entitled “Business as a Chessboard: How to Make the Right Move.” The event connected the world of chess with contemporary business and management, highlighting the importance of strategic thinking, responsible decision-making, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Before the lecture, the students were addressed by Professor Vladimir Tomašević, Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia (ŠSS), and Darko Obradović. Their remarks emphasized the value of connecting academic education with practical experience and the role of cooperation between educational institutions, sports organizations, and professionals in developing new approaches to learning and the professional development of young people.
During the lecture, Grandmaster Potkin introduced students to the principles of chess strategy and demonstrated their relevance to the business environment. Particular attention was given to decision-making under pressure, evaluating alternative courses of action, anticipating consequences, exercising patience, and recognizing the right moment to act. As in chess, success in business depends not on a single move, but on understanding the bigger picture, assessing risks, preparing for possible changes, and making informed decisions based on careful analysis.
Another important theme of the lecture was the value of learning from mistakes. In both chess and management, every move provides an opportunity to evaluate previous decisions and improve future strategies. Critical thinking, self-discipline, and the ability to consider different perspectives are essential elements of professional development, particularly in an environment where future managers must respond to complex challenges and make well-considered decisions.
For students of the Belgrade School of Engineering Management, the lecture provided an opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with practical examples and explore strategic thinking beyond the traditional classroom setting. Direct engagement with an accomplished chess professional allowed students to recognize how the principles of discipline, planning, risk assessment, and uncertainty management can be applied across a wide range of professional fields.
Events of this kind form part of the School’s broader educational approach, which focuses on developing competencies that extend beyond specialized academic knowledge to include leadership, communication, analytical thinking, and strategic planning. Connecting academic learning with the experiences of accomplished professionals enriches the educational process and helps prepare students for the demands of the contemporary labour market.
The event also highlighted the potential for further cooperation between the Belgrade School of Engineering Management, the Chess Federation of Serbia, and other relevant partners. Such cooperation can provide a foundation for new educational programmes, guest lectures, joint projects, and initiatives that encourage knowledge exchange between academia, sport, and the business sector.
The lecture “Business as a Chessboard: How to Make the Right Move” demonstrated once again that valuable lessons for future professional challenges can be found across different areas of human experience. For the Belgrade School of Engineering Management, initiatives such as this represent an important step towards its strategic objective of providing students with a modern, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented education, encouraging them to think ahead, take responsibility, and make informed decisions.
