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<h2>Exploring the Connection Between Chess and the NBA</h2>
<p>At first glance, chess and playing in the <a href="https://cnn.com/2025/09/15/sport/basketball-nba-fashion-explosion-intl">NBA</a> appear to be worlds apart.</p>
<p>Chess demands intense concentration and quiet focus, especially in <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/14/sport/chess-variants-explainer-spt-intl">classical chess</a>, while basketball is all about physicality, athleticism, and maintaining composure in a high-pressure environment.</p>
<p>However, there are surprising connections between these two sports, as highlighted by NBA legend <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/sport/former-mvp-derrick-rose-retires-nba-spt-intl">Derrick Rose</a>, a former MVP who has fostered a unique partnership between chess and professional basketball.</p>
<p>Recently, Rose collaborated with <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/sport/magnus-carlsen-chess-esports-spt">Magnus Carlsen</a>’s Freestyle Chess to organize a tournament featuring prominent figures from both disciplines. Notable players like Quinten Post of the Golden State Warriors teamed up with chess grandmasters during the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYGZf1QhSFY&t=6593s" target="_blank">2025 Chesstival</a> held in Las Vegas.</p>
<p>The format had NBA players working alongside chess masters, where the latter would designate a chess piece and the basketball players would choose its move. The NBA athletes also competed in a separate blitz tournament.</p>
<p>Rose participated in the event and is already planning future tournaments, asserting that these experiences help deepen his understanding of the game. His love for chess, which evolved during his basketball career, has turned into a passion.</p>
<p>He believes that chess enhances cognitive abilities and encourages strategic thinking, allowing players to foresee multiple outcomes from each move. Rose encourages young people, especially from challenging backgrounds, to engage with chess, as he believes the game can foster patience and mindfulness, essential qualities for navigating life.</p>
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