The Chess-Football Connection: How NFL Players Are Finding Strategy in the Game of Kings
American football and chess may seem like vastly different worlds, but they share a common thread—strategy. For decades, fans and players alike have drawn parallels between the two, often describing football as "chess on a field." While this comparison simplifies the complexity of both disciplines, there is undeniable overlap in their strategic elements. Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie sums it up perfectly: "When the play happens, it’s now the execution part of it. It’s chess to an extent, but once the play happens, it becomes football." This duality has led many NFL players to embrace chess as a way to sharpen their minds, unwind, and even gain a competitive edge on the field.
The Rise of Chess Among NFL Players: A New Way to Compete and Unwind
In recent years, chess has become an unexpected hobby for a growing number of NFL players. These athletes, known for their physical prowess, are turning to the mental challenges of chess to stay sharp and competitive off the field. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, for instance, was spotted playing chess on the day of Super Bowl 2022. This trend has gained so much momentum that Chess.com now hosts an annual tournament exclusively for current and former NFL players, aptly named BlitzChamps. The tournament has not only provided a platform for these athletes to test their strategic skills but has also become a subject of interest for NFL Films, which recently documented the event.
The BlitzChamps Tournament: Where Football Meets Chess
Now in its fourth year, BlitzChamps has become a highly anticipated event in both the NFL and chess communities. The tournament features NFL players competing for bragging rights and a $30,000 prize pot, which is donated to a charity of the winner’s choice. The idea for the tournament was born out of a friendship between Chess.com’s Chief Chess Officer, Danny Rensch, and former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, an avid chess player. Rensch recalls the inception of the tournament, describing it as a "movie scene version" where Fitzgerald was actively texting and calling other NFL players to join. With the help of players like Amari Cooper and Chidobe Awuzie, the first tournament was held in 2022, and it has only grown more competitive since.
From the Field to the Chessboard: How Chess is Shaping Football IQ
While chess provides a mental escape for NFL players, it has also proven to be a tool for improving their football IQ. Chidobe Awuzie credits his time studying chess for his ability to recognize formations on the field and anticipate changes more quickly. "Little things like that happen in my head at a faster pace now," he says. This connection is not coincidental. Chess requires players to think critically, anticipate moves, and adapt to changing situations—skills that are equally valuable in football. High-performance coaches like Seth Makowsky are even using chess as a training tool for athletes, including Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. This unique approach has been profiled in major outlets like the New York Times, the Athletic, and the LA Times.
Chess and Football as Mirror Images: Strategy, Execution, and Adaptation
The parallels between chess and football extend beyond mere strategy. Both disciplines require a balance of planning and adaptability. According to Danny Rensch, one of the biggest mistakes people make in chess is "getting married to their ideas" instead of reacting to the situation. This is equally true in football, where players must read the game and adjust their actions in real time. This analogy stretches beyond football, too. Basketball stars like Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, and Derrick Rose are also chess enthusiasts, highlighting the universal appeal of the game for professional athletes. For Rensch, the allure of chess lies in its paradoxical nature: it is an unsolvable puzzle, yet every position has a best move, whether you find it or not.
The Universal Appeal of Chess: Why Athletes Can’t Resist the Game
At its core, chess offers athletes a unique combination of intellectual challenge and competitive satisfaction. It is a game that is both finite and infinite, with clearly defined rules but endless possibilities. For professional athletes who thrive on competition, chess provides a mental battlefield where they can test their skills without the physical demands of their sport. As the NFL’s BlitzChamps tournament continues to grow, it is clear that chess has found a permanent place in the lives of many football players. Whether it’s sharpening their strategic thinking, fostering camaraderie, or simply providing a new way to compete, chess has become more than just a game for these athletes—it’s a way of life.
