‘They thought I left the court, but I just changed the game.’ If that isn’t peak Derrick Rose energy, we don’t know what is. The former MVP may not be dunking over defenders these days, but he’s still making moves. Just on a different board. And the truth is, the NBA’s love affair with chess isn’t some brand-new thing. Way back, Wilt Chamberlain once pulled an all-nighter squaring off with Bobby Fischer, the world chess champ. Even guys like Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have admitted that they are low-key obsessed with it. But Rose, he took it a notch higher. He didn’t just play chess; he created ‘Chesstival,’ a full-blown event dedicated to blending the strategy of chess with the energy of hoop culture. And now, after some quiet buildup, Chesstival’s officially on the move.
The third leg of the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is about to light up Las Vegas, and it’s bringing some serious heat. From July 16 to 20, the city’s turning into the chess capital of the world. But the real buzz kicks off a few days earlier, on July 13, when Chesstival will take the center stage. And this is also for the first time. This knockout-style celebrity chess tourney’s pulling in current and former NBA stars, flipping the script on what a sports crossover should look like.
There’s $50,000 on the line for charity, and the event’s teaming up with Chess.com to make it happen. The project’s already bagged $20 million from investors, with Derrick Rose right in the middle of it all. And the man himself isn’t shy about the vision. “I really believe Chesstival is one of the biggest paradigm shifts, along with Freestyle Chess, that the chess world has ever seen, and I think they’re going to help grow the game,” Rose said. Honestly, he’s got a point; this isn’t just a tournament, it’s a whole vibe shift for the game.
Freestle Chess is the innovative chess league co-founded by Magnus Carlsen and Jan Henric Buettner, with its focus lying on creativity over memorization. The lineup for the league includes top-ranked players such as five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, and former World Rapid Champion Hikaru Nakamura. Further, each Grand Slam Tour offers $750,000 in prize money. Now that’s setting a new benchmark for chess as a global sport!
Finally, what began as Derrick Rose’s personal way to “prevent dementia or it prevents Alzheimer’s” is now evolving into something way bigger than anyone expected. Chesstival isn’t just a side hobby anymore. It’s becoming a cultural crossover with real impact. And if Rose’s vision for this league actually lands the way he’s hoping, it won’t just be a win for chess or the NBA community. It’ll be a life-changing chapter for Rose himself.
Inside Derrick Rose’s obsession with the 64-square grind
Derrick Rose’s love for chess isn’t some post-retirement gimmick. It’s been woven into his life for years. In fact, his wife Alaina once dropped a hilarious hint about it on social media. During a Drake concert, while the entire arena vibed out, Rose was locked in on his phone, playing chess. Later, he clarified it was just during a break,
Rose even admitted that the chess community within the NBA is like a secret society. “It’s kind of a cult type thing,” he told Stephen Noah. “People whisper about it. It’s never where I say, ‘I play chess.’ It’s a thing where it’s like, ‘Hey I play.’ ‘Oh sh—, you play too?’” No flashy boards, courtside, or grand gestures. Just quiet nods between hoopers who share the same itch.
Don’t get shocked to know that back in Memphis, Rose traveled with two chessboards and would challenge teammates anytime, anywhere. And when he finally announced his retirement, eagle-eyed fans noticed a chessboard casually placed in his farewell post, sitting there like an old friend.
Now, with Chesstival on the rise and his own chess vision taking shape. It’s clear that the game isn’t just a hobby for Derrick Rose. It’s part of his DNA, a lifelong grind on 64 squares, whether on the court or off it.
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