The Chess Hobby of NBA Stars, from Derrick Rose to Steven Adams

If you arrive early to catch a Grizzlies game and see Derrick Rose stepping onto the court, chances are you’ll notice him carrying a Louis Vuitton box. This box holds a passion equal to his love for basketball – the game of chess.

Chess, often regarded as a game of intellect, has long been popular among NBA players. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a devoted chess enthusiast. Wilt Chamberlain once played chess all night with world champion Bobby Fischer. Today, many NBA stars are avid chess fans and often share their love for this hobby. Klay Thompson claims to be the best chess player on the Warriors, while Luka Doncic and Giannis are frequent chess players. But no one is as passionate as Rose. Just recently, on February 12th, the Grizzlies even gave away a random gift to fans – a chess set from Derrick Rose himself.

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There’s a chess ‘cult’ among NBA players As one of the most prominent chess fans, Rose understands those who share his passion in the NBA.

He says, “It’s like a cult. People whisper about it. It’s not like, ‘I play chess,’ it’s more like, ‘Hey, I play chess.’ ‘Oh my god, you play?’ It’s kept quiet. You never see guys carrying boards. It’s like a hidden community.”

Rose came to the Grizzlies to bring experience and leadership to the locker room. He also brought two chess boards – “a small one that I always carry and a handheld one. Anyone on the team can play when traveling for away games, on the plane, for example.”

Rose started playing chess after hearing it helps prevent memory loss in old age. He became addicted to chess.

Rose plays chess daily on Chess.com, often challenging random players unaware they’re facing the NBA 2011 MVP. His chess addiction spread online earlier in the summer when his wife posted an irate video of him playing chess during a Drake concert.

Rose has faced off against everyone on the Knicks, from Svi Mykhailiuk (“I’ve beat him a few times”) to executive William Wesley, or World Wide Wes. Now, he’s challenging those on the Grizzlies. From Marcus Smart, Steven Adams to Santi Aldama,

Adams developed a fondness for the game during the COVID-19 pandemic while playing for the Pelicans. He even took to Twitter to comment on chess strategy photos.

Adams says, “That’s when I first started playing chess. I was very excited because I knew the basic tactics. Just boasting about that.”

Many NBA players enjoy chess. It not only provides an escape from the competitive environment of basketball but also sharpens their mental skills. There are similarities in strategy between chess and basketball. Both sports utilize similar strategic concepts.

Adams quips, “Just because you’re good at chess doesn’t mean you can dunk.”

Aldama, who enjoys blitz chess, says, “You have to think ahead. It’s really frustrating when you make a wrong move. It’s good for mental training.”

Steven Adams Memphis Grizzlies (NBA Entertainment) Chess Helps NBA Players Develop Strong Mental Fortitude According to Adams, a player’s chess style can reveal how they play on the basketball court. “You can see how ruthless and daring they are.”

Jaylen Brown, another chess enthusiast, shares this sentiment. “I play chess with you just to see how your mind works,” he says on NBA.com.

Adams sees chess as a measure of oneself, to test if his mental sharpness holds up at all times and places.

“Sometimes I fall into some dumb trap. I have to pause, have a sip of water, meditate, then come back with a clearer mind.”

For Rose, he uses chess to hone the strategic aspect of his mind. He believes the chess moves are analogous to life decisions.

Rose says, “In my dictionary, I’ve replaced ‘sacrifice’ with ‘compromise.’ I don’t like using the word sacrifice when talking about life in general. ‘Compromise’ is how you sacrifice something for long-term stability. That’s how I’m thinking about life right now.”