At first glance, the game of chess and the fast-paced action of the NBA appear to have little in common.
Chess demands deep concentration and strategic foresight, while basketball requires physical strength, peak athleticism, and composure under pressure.
Yet, surprisingly, the two sports share more similarities than one might think—just ask former NBA MVP Derrick Rose.MVP
Derrick Rose: From the Court to the Chessboard
The 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player has become the face of an unexpected collaboration between professional basketball and competitive chess.
Rose recently joined forces with world chess champion Magnus Carlsen’s Freestyle Chess initiative to host a unique tournament, uniting top athletes and grandmasters in the 2025 Chesstival in Las Vegas.MVP
The event featured NBA talents like Golden State Warriors forward Quinten .
Post and Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams competing alongside world-class chess grandmasters. In the innovative Head & Hand format, the chess masters selected which piece to move, while the NBA stars decided where it should go.
Players also faced off in a separate blitz tournament, blending athletic competition with mental strategy.MVP
A Passion That Grew Into Obsession
Rose himself participated in the event, explaining that his fascination with chess began during his NBA career and quickly became an obsession.
The thrill of endless possibilities is unlike any other game,” Rose told CNN Sports. “You have millions of potential outcomes after the first move, and that knowledge really intrigued me.”
While still playing in the NBA, Rose had to step back from the game at times.
because it consumed so much of his energy. He recalled staying up late, replaying games in his head—even dreaming about chess positions—before realizing it was interfering with his basketball commitments.MVP
The Rise of Chess in Sports Culture
With chess enjoying a surge in global popularity, collaborations like Chesstival highlight its growing influence in mainstream sports.
From soccer stars to NFL players, athletes worldwide are embracing chess as a tool to sharpen focus, enhance strategic thinking, and improve cognitive health.
For Derrick Rose, the connection between basketball and chess goes beyond.
Competition—it’s about continuous learning, discipline, and mental resilience. And with more events already being planned, this fusion of physical and mental sports may be just the beginning of a powerful new trend.MVP
Derrick Rose on How Chess Transformed His Game and His Life
Former NBA superstar Derrick Rose has found an unlikely passion that continues to shape his mindset—chess.
Just as he once mastered the basketball court, Rose now studies the chessboard with equal dedication, claiming the game has sharpened both his focus and decision-making.MVP
Chess Lessons on and off the Court
Rose admits that learning openings and strategic patterns in chess has given him new ways of viewing basketball.It teaches me to be mindful of every move,” he explains. “Every choice matters, and within every option lies a decision.”
For Rose, the beauty of chess is in its challenges.
Losing a match pushes him to come back with a different plan, whether it’s setting up a gambit or creating a clever trap. What started as moving pieces casually has grown into a deeper understanding of strategy, resilience, and patience—skills he values as much as those that carried him through his basketball career.
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Judit Polgár on Why Chess Helps Athletes
The 2025 Chesstival in Las Vegas featured legendary grandmaster Judit Polgár, who teamed up with NBA forward Grant Williams to win the innovative Head & Hand competition.
Polgár praised the basketball players for their focus and highlighted how chess can strengthen their athletic mindset.MVP
Chess builds concentration and helps you adapt to new situations,
Polgár told CNN Sports. “It also teaches resilience—never giving up, because even when you’re down, your opponent can still make a mistake. You just have to stay ready to seize the opportunity.”MVP
Rose’s Journey: From MVP to Chess Enthusiast
Rose entered the NBA with incredible promise, winning Rookie of the Year in 2009 and becoming the youngest MVP in league history in 2011. Despite career-altering injuries, he went on to play for the Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Grizzlies, retiring in 2024 after an impressive career.
Yet when sitting at a chessboard, the Chicago native admits he still feels nervous.
Surprisingly, he says losing in chess can hurt more than losing on the basketball court.Losing in chess is a lot harder than losing in basketball,” Rose said. “It feels more intimate—like it gets to me on a personal level.”MVP
Chess as a Tool for Life—and Survival
Now 36, Rose has made chess a central part of his post-basketball life. He plays online, on personal boards, and encourages his children to embrace the game as well. But for Rose, chess is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to inspire the next generation.
He believes the game can give kids in tough environments the tools to think ahead and make better choices.
Most kids are reacting instead of thinking. That split-second decision can cost them their life,” Rose explained. “Chess teaches patience, strategy, and the importance of planning ahead.”
For Rose, chess isn’t just about competition—it’s about teaching young people to value their lives, think critically, and rise above difficult circumstances.
