A growing number of top-tier athletes are turning to chess, finding strategic parallels between the game and elite sports performance. Premier League players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, who famously faced chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen in 2018, highlight the game's mental benefits. Alexander-Arnold noted football and chess share similarities, particularly regarding modern technology's role.

Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze demonstrated this connection by winning £15,000 in Chess.com's PogChamps tournament last year, competing against other athletes and celebrities. This trend extends beyond the Premier League; Erling Haaland's Norwegian connection to Carlsen, Harry Kane's acknowledged skill, and Bryan Mbeumo's participation are frequently mentioned by chess figures. Crystal Palace's Borna Sosa is even touted as potentially the best among them.

Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien and tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz also credit chess for improving strategic thinking and planning. Alcaraz specifically stated in a 2018 interview that chess helps him anticipate opponents' moves during tennis matches. The competitive nature of chess appeals to athletes used to elite competition, offering a constant mental challenge.

With players often traveling and spending time in hotels, online chess provides a way to maintain their competitive edge 24/7. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah revealed he's 'addicted' to Blitz chess, playing daily under an anonymous profile. This surge in popularity, fueled by stars like Haaland, Salah, Alcaraz, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, is significantly boosting chess's reputation and appeal.

Chess.com reports participation numbers have surged since the Netflix series 'The Queen's Gambit' and the pandemic, with over 25 million children studying chess weekly globally and 1.5 billion people having downloaded a chess app. The UK alone sees chess popularity seven to eight times higher than pre-2020 levels, according to Malcolm Pein, reflecting chess's growing mainstream acceptance.