I think the similarity being raised isn't really in the game or mechanics of the game, but the mechanics of being top tier. Aside from some very surface level s

I think the similarity being raised isn't really in the game or mechanics of the game, but the mechanics of being top tier. Aside from some very surface level similarities, you're right that RTS and Chess have pretty low overlap. But I think that the grind required to be top-tier in both is similar. They require you to play A LOT, and to do one of the hardest things a human can do, which is to try to be as objective as possible while analyzing when and why you lost.