Is Victor Playing Chess While Adam Plays Checkers on Young and the Restless?

Keep a close on Adam because we have a feeling some drama is brewing!

Victor Newman doesn’t just run companies—he runs the board. And lately on The Young and the Restless, it’s starting to look like his son, Adam, is just another piece in his calculated game.

A Pawn

In recent Months, Victor (Eric Braeden) has made a series of seemingly generous moves: offering Adam (Mark Grossman) the CEO position at Newman Media, encouraging him to move back into the original Newman ranch house, and even nudging him toward a reunion with Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan). On the surface, it looks like Victor is giving his son everything he’s ever wanted—stability, power, and a chance to rebuild his family. But fans know better than to take Victor at face value.

The question is: why now?

Victor rarely acts out of sentiment. His decision to re-ensconce Adam into the family fold may seem like an olive branch, but it also places Adam exactly where Victor can keep a close eye on him. With Adam back under the Newman roof and in a role that’s technically high-powered—but still a step removed from the core of the empire at Newman Enterprises—Victor maintains control while letting Adam believe he’s winning.

Pick Me

Meanwhile, Adam, hopeful for a fresh start and craving his father’s approval, appears to be playing right into Victor’s hands. He’s not pushing for more or questioning the sudden flood of opportunities. That kind of trust—or blindness—could prove costly.

Is Victor genuinely trying to build bridges, or is he laying the groundwork for a bigger power play? Time will tell. But if there’s one thing we know, it’s that Victor doesn’t move without a master plan. And Adam? He might want to stop celebrating and start looking over his shoulder.

In the Newman world, loyalty is a move. Strategy is survival. And Victor always plays to win.