Mind games: How football stars are fuelling chess boomManchester City striker and chess enthusiast Erling Haaland. Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion, is a huge football fan and the Norwegian's love for both games has played a role in the surprise crossover. Norwegian chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen juggles a football prior to the fifth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament at the Philips-Stadion in Eindhoven on Jan 16, 2020. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football," Haaland said. For Kane, his true love remains football, leaving chess as the perfect way to relax.

Source: Bangkok Post March 31, 2026 03:43 UTC