Playing chess and playing in the NBA seem like two very distinct activities at first glance.

One is based on patience, quiet, and monastic concentration—particularly in traditional models when each choice can take hours. Raw athleticism, physical domination, and the capacity to remain composed in the face of a boisterous crowd are what the other thrives on.

However, there are unexpected ways in which these two worlds overlap beneath the surface. Just ask Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, who has emerged as the improbable link between the chessboard's sixty-four squares and hardwood disputes.

Rose recently organized a unique competition that combined the accuracy of chess with the enthusiasm of basketball by partnering with Magnus Carlsen's Freestyle Chess. The event, which was a part of the 2025 Chesstival in Las Vegas, attracted star power from both teams. Elite chess grandmasters and Golden State Warriors forward Quinten Post and Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams entered the fray, resulting in pairings that were both unlikely and intriguing.

Another level of interest was introduced by the format itself. Grandmasters made the decision about which piece would move in the Head & Hand style, while their NBA partners made the placement decisions. It was a dynamic combination of intuition and intelligence. The basketball players concluded by putting their own mental agility to the test in a different blitz event, demonstrating that competition always requires mental acuity under duress, whether it is on the court or the board.

In addition to planning the event, Derrick Rose competed on stage with the players he had assisted in assembling. And he's not going to stop there. He is already planning to host another edition because he wants to build on what he describes as a really fulfilling experience.

Rose saw the event as an opportunity for personal development rather than merely for show. He acknowledges that the challenge has advanced him in his personal chess development and sharpened his intellect in ways reminiscent of the discipline he used to rely on in the NBA. What started out as a passing interest when he was playing has gradually developed into something far more all-consuming—a desire that eventually became a true addiction.

“I think just the thrill of knowing the possibilities is like no other game in the world,” Rose said on reporter “You get three million or four million possibilities right after the first move. And with me learning that knowledge early on, it kind of intrigued me.”

“Chess was kind of doing that. I’d be up late at night trying to play one game, then I’d look up, it’s two in the morning, and I got to be up at seven for treatment.” He added. “The dreams were very intense, and while I was playing basketball, I never wanted anything to come equal to that, or jump that.”

Not only is chess attracting the interest of former NBA players, but it has also caught the attention of prominent players from the NFL, soccer, and other sports. Many sportsmen attribute their improved focus, discipline, and decision-making in their own careers to playing the game.

But for Derrick Rose, chess has taken on a more intimate meaning. It gives him a means to express himself at age 36 and feeds the competitive spirit that endures long after his basketball heyday. The board's principles, he maintains, are applicable to much more than just professional sportsmen. According to him, anyone navigating everyday life may benefit from playing chess.

Home is where that belief starts. In addition to using the game as a hobby, Rose has urged his kids to learn how to solve problems, be patient, and grow. He is similarly dedicated to expanding its reach, bringing chess to underserved populations with limited access and possibilities.

The consequences can be severe for him. Rose believes that chess has the ability to alter paths, particularly for children who are growing up in challenging circumstances. He contends that the discipline and structure of the game may in some situations not only keep kids out of trouble but even perhaps save lives.

“I want kids to know how precious their life is, and I think the game of chess teaches you a lot about life, a lot about being strategic and organizing yourself as a young man growing up in these harsh environments,”  he says.

“I want kids to know how precious their life is, and I think the game of chess teaches you a lot about life, a lot about being strategic and organizing yourself as a young man growing up in these harsh environments.”

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