Russia Plays Cards - Ukraine Plays Chess; Why Ukraine Will Win - Econ Lessons [View all]

Hi, my name is Mark. I play chess and am an economist. My claim is that Ukraine will win. While Russia and even the U.S. posture like poker players—bluffing, raising stakes, and banking on perception—Ukraine is playing chess. And not just any chess—positional chess, the kind practiced by grandmasters like Tigran Petrosian and Garry Kasparov and popularized today by the Botez sisters, who remind a new generation that smart strategy often beats flashy tactics.

This video breaks down how Ukraine is playing a long-term, multi-level game. While its opponents chase tactical victories, Ukraine is securing diplomatic positions, shaping narratives, adapting its economy, and building alliances—slowly gaining control of the “board.” Like in chess, positional play—the quiet accumulation of advantages—is more decisive than dramatic sacrifices.

Petrosian built positions so strong that his opponents often cracked under pressure. Kasparov combined preparation and vision with relentless energy. Ukraine channels both. The Botez sisters, with their mix of real-time analysis and strategic insight, show us that understanding the flow of the game matters more than any single move.

In the end, while Russia and others play to win the current hand, Ukraine is planning a checkmate.