10 Celebrities' That Will Beat You In Chess

by Milica Knezevic on April 01, 2022

Arnold Schwarzenegger: In Chess, You Are Terminated!

Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • If you haven't seen the Terminator we suggest you check it out today and learn about a living legend. Arnold Schwarzenegger  has gained worldwide popularity with this movie, but decided to make a switch towards a more " serious" carrier. This icon served as the 38th governor of California between 2003 and 2011. Moreover, as of 2022, he is the most recent Republican governor of California.
  • This all to say he is also a chess player to be feared and admired! His love for chess has had a long life, since his childhood the love for chess has persisted. 
  • His chess playing is another tell of how many famous people we hear of, due everything in their power to train their brains as well as their bodies. There is no game that keeps you as mentally sharp as chess, but don't trust us, see for yourself how all of these successful people do it. 

Will Smith: Slapmate!

Will Smith
  • Known for his contribution to film and now an Oscar winning celebrity Will Smith is no stranger to the general public. We chose to introduce him though his iconic role in the movie Men in Black, but we recommend exploring his vast and diverse range of roles and seeing for yourself just how accomplished of an actor he truly is. 
  • When it comes to the amazing game of chess, he could be described as the biggest chess fan in Hollywood at the moment. 
  • In an interview Will Smith says:

 “It is cool to play chess. My father taught me how to play chess at seven and introduced beautiful concepts that I try to pass on to my kids. The elements and concepts of life are so perfectly illustrated on a chess board. The ability to accurately assess your position is the key to chess, which I also think is the key to life.” He pauses, searching for an example. 

“Everything you do in your life is a move. You wake up in the morning, you strap on a gun, and you walk out on the street – that’s a move. You’ve made a move and the universe is going to respond with its move. Whatever move you’re going to make in your life to be successful, you have to accurately access the next couple of moves – like what’s going to happen if you do this? Because once you’ve made your move, you can’t take it back. The universe is going to respond.”

Madonna: Like A Grandmaster

Madonna
  • Set the chess stage for a pop music legend, Madonna! One of the most renowned names of the music industry. A women who has forever earned her place in history as one f the most controversial and diverse performers of all times. Even if you are not a fan of her music or style, you cannot deny the absolute star power she has earned for herself. This iconic figure is also a chess player, being inspired and moved by the game for many years now.  
  • If you do decide to explore this there is a music video in which she plays chess, the song title is The Power of Good-Bye. She manages to combine a powerful stage presence and make an intense game even more intense. 


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Leonardo DiCaprio: Check Me If You Can!

Leonardo DiCaprio
  • The living legend is here to enrich our list with his passion for chess as well. Regardless of the generation you belong to, you couldn't have missed the wonders that Leonardo DiCaprio has presented over the years. His extraordinary talent made debuts in so many cult movies that it is very hard to miss! 
  • This impressive actor is yet another chess fan. He was photographed numerous times playing chess with friends and proving yet again how sociable this game actually is. 
  • Staying sharp and ahead of the game is extremely important for all actors. Leo is the perfect example of how chess can be a the perfect activity to drive your brain and make you stay on top.

Stanley Kubrick: 2001 A Chess Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick
  • Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and photographer. He is frequently cited as one of the greatest filmmakers in cinematic history. His films, almost all of which are adaptations of novels or short stories, cover a wide range of genres and are noted for their realism, dark humor, unique cinematography, extensive set designs, and evocative use of music.
  • He is to this day cited as one of the best directors to ever step foot in the industry. He was an artist whose art will surpass our lives and those of our grandchildren. This person was one more added to the list of creative wonders who played chess in their life. 
  • We cannot know the extent to which chess has helped this genius stay a genius, but we can rely on facts about the game that hold true for most. 
  • Chess is a game that provides so many benefits, we sometimes wonder how it is not included in all curriculums in the world. 


George R.R. Martin: Game Of Thrones

George R.R. Martin
  • George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948),also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. 
  • He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire, which were adapted into the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones (2011–2019). He also helped create the Wild Cards anthology series, and contributed worldbuilding for the 2022 video game Elden Ring.
  • Martin had always been a chess player. According to his interview with The Independent, Martin founded the chess club at Northwestern University, and was his high school team's captain. George R.R. Martin is a life member of the United States Chess Federation, with a peak rating of 1905 in January 1990.

Salvador Dalí: The Persistence Of Memory

Salvador Dali
  •  Salvador Dalí  was a Spanish surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, precise draftsmanship, and the striking and bizarre images in his work.
  • Born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain, Dalí received his formal education in fine arts in Madrid. Influenced by Impressionism and the Renaissance masters from a young age, he became increasingly attracted to Cubism and avant-garde movements. 
  • This extraordinary name in the art world created some of his best work, as he says, by painting his dreams, starting there a movement forever known as surrealism. 
  • His love for chess was crown by the creation of his own chess set. Dalí made his original chess pieces from plaster casts of his fingers, which were then to be recast in silver. The King and Queen were the thumbs of the artist and his wife, each crowned with one of their actual molars


Julia Roberts: Pretty Queen

Julia Roberts
  • One of Hollywood's most bankable stars, Julia Roberts is known for her leading roles in films of several genres, from romantic comedies and dramas to thrillers and action films. Many of her films have earned over $100 million at the worldwide box office, and six have ranked among the highest-grossing films of their respective years.
  •  Her top-billing films have collectively brought in box office receipts of over $3.8 billion globally. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards.
  • She is a well known chess fan and even has a scene from her famous movie Pretty Woman in which she plays chess, this image is featured as the cover of our blog. According to the internet, she attained a 2057 rating in 2002.


Isaac Newton: Gravitational Pull Of A Game

Isaac Newton
  • Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author (described in his time as a "natural philosopher") widely recognized as one of the greatest mathematicians and physicists of all time and among the most influential scientists. 
  • He was a key figure in the philosophical revolution known as the Enlightenment. His book Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), first published in 1687, established classical mechanics. Newton also made seminal contributions to optics, and shares credit with German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz for developing infinitesimal calculus.
  • Isaac Newton is definitely the most renowned name in science and he was also a chess lover, and yet another man in the line of geniuses who appreciated the delicate art of chess playing. 

Frank Sinatra: I've Got You Under My Skin

Frank Sinatra
  • Frank Sinatra was an American singer and actor. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide.
  • Born to Italian immigrants in Hoboken, New Jersey, Sinatra was greatly influenced by the intimate, easy-listening vocal style of Bing Crosby and began his musical career in the swing era with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after he signed with Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the "bobby soxers".
  • One of the greats, also loved to play an occasional chess game or two. There is even a photograph of him playing chess with Anatoly Karpov in 1979.

A Few Of Their Chess Moments Caught on Camera:

Chess Celebs

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1 comment
by Monica on May 24, 2022

Really??? never knew Frank Sinatra interested in chess. 😮

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