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The Unlikely Connection Between Chess and Football
At first glance, American football and chess may seem worlds apart. However, many NFL players embrace chess to sharpen their strategic thinking, enhance their decision-making skills, and gain a competitive edge. Just as chess requires anticipating an opponent’s moves, football demands quick thinking, adaptability, and the ability to recognize real-time patterns.
Chess as a Mental Training Tool for NFL Stars
The concept of football as “chess on a field” is an age-old analogy. The positioning of players before a play mirrors the arrangement of chess pieces before a strategic move. Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie acknowledges this connection, stating, “Before a play starts, the pieces are set—this is the position on the chessboard. When the play starts, it shifts into the execution stage.
For NFL athletes, chess is more than just a hobby; it’s a tool for mental training. It helps players develop patience, strategic foresight, and the ability to anticipate and react quickly—skills that translate directly to reading and executing plays on the football field.
NFL Players Embracing Chess
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is one of many players who turn to chess for mental stimulation. Even on the day of Super Bowl 2022, Burrow was engaged in a chess game. The sport has gained so much traction among NFL players that Chess.com now hosts an exclusive tournament called BlitzChamps, a competition featuring both current and former NFL players.
Now, in its fourth year, BlitzChamps attracts players eager to showcase their skills off the field. The tournament offers a $30,000 prize donated to a charity of the winner’s choice. This growing interest in chess among professional football players demonstrates how seriously they take the mental aspect of their game.
The Evolution of BlitzChamps
BlitzChamps originated from a conversation between Chess.com’s Chief Chess Officer, Danny Rensch, and former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Their discussions led to the tournament’s inception, bringing together NFL players with a shared passion for chess.
Since its launch, BlitzChamps has only grown in popularity and competitiveness. Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid claimed the title last year, defeating 2022 champion Chidobe Awuzie. More and more NFL players are joining the chess movement, with teams like the Tennessee Titans fostering a growing interest in the game among their players.
Chess’s Impact on Football IQ
Beyond the tournament, many players use chess to improve their football IQ. Awuzie credits chess with helping him recognize formations faster and anticipate movements more effectively on the field. When I transitioned from the Cowboys to the Bengals, my response time improved significantly. At the same time, I had improved at chess—it was simultaneous,” he explained.
Chess also influences coaching strategies, with high-performance coaches like Seth Makowsky incorporating it into training regimens for athletes, including Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Makowsky’s methods have been highlighted in major publications like The New York Times, The Athletic, and The LA Times, emphasizing the impact of chess on sports performance.
Chess Principles Applied to Football Strategy
Danny Rensch believes one of the biggest mistakes in chess—getting too attached to a single strategy instead of adapting—is also a common pitfall in football. Successful players must remain flexible, adjusting to the game’s changing dynamics. This mindset applies to quarterbacks, safeties, and defensive players who must read and react swiftly to the opposing team’s plays.
Chess in Other Sports
The fascination with chess extends beyond football. NBA stars like Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, and Derrick Rose have expressed their love for the game. Dončić is a well-known chess enthusiast, while Wembanyama has been seen playing against fans in Washington Square Park. Rose, meanwhile, incorporates chess into his daily routine—even during concerts.
Rensch believes the allure of chess for athletes lies in its balance between challenge and mastery. Chess is both an unsolvable puzzle and a game where each position has an optimal move,” he explains. “There’s something about knowing the best move exists while also understanding that playing at a high level is nearly impossible.”
The Growing Chess Movement in the NFL
As more NFL players integrate chess into their training, the connection between the two sports becomes clearer. Chess enhances strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and adaptability—invaluable skills on the football field. With BlitzChamps gaining traction and more players recognizing the benefits of chess, the game’s influence in the NFL is only set to grow.
Whether it’s Burrow preparing for the Super Bowl, Awuzie sharpening his play recognition, or Reid clinching the BlitzChamps title, chess is an essential tool in the arsenal of elite athletes. The chessboard is no longer just a battlefield for grandmasters—it’s also a training ground for football’s finest.
