I'm always interested when I learn that a celebrity I admire plays chess, or if I hadn't admired them, I may start paying more attention. Here are some that I know of:
Humphrey Bogart: Highly skilled, but recreational only?
Stanley Kubrick: Also highly skiled, he was known to hustle chess games for money in NYCs Washington Square park when he was out of work.
Lennox Lewis: Brit boxer who is said to play hours of chess a day, in combination with his physical training, in order to hone his tactical/strategic skills. I don't know how good he is.
Nelly: Grew up playing street chess in St. Louis, he would play chess with his band mates (from the St. Lunatics) after shows in order to avoid the whole sex/drugs/rock'n roll lifestyle. Apparently he is the best of his group.
David Spade: Made fun of in high school for his small stature, and.... chess playing abilities!! Channeled all this into a career as a comedian. I don't know how good he is, either.
Ashton Kutcher: Really! The pretty boy from that 70's Show. All I know is that it is one of his 3 main hobbies (Golf, Chess, Video Games), which I learned while reading a 17 mag at the dentist office. Apparently, he can 'blow away whomever he plays'.
John Wayne: Amateur. Could beat up on people who only play casually, but falls to more experienced players.
Wo are some others that you guys know about? I'm more interested in current, living celebrities, and/or interesting stories from past stars. Thanks!
Would you believe Karol Wojtyla, pope John Paul II ?
Here is the proof: Gary Kasparov and Raymond Keene: Batsford Chess Openings August 1988 page 51, note 15.
" 4. Kf3 g6 (4 ... h6 5 Bh4 e6 6 e4 g5 ! Zartobliwy-Wojtyla, * Cracow 1946) 5 e3 Bg7 etc. ... ".
* later John Paul II
Originally posted by ivanhoeyou know that star eddie anders he is so good nobody will play him😉
Would you believe Karol Wojtyla, pope John Paul II ?
Here is the proof: Gary Kasparov and Raymond Keene: Batsford Chess Openings August 1988 page 51, note 15.
" 4. Kf3 g6 (4 ... h6 5 Bh4 e6 6 e4 g5 ! Zartobliwy-Wojtyla, * Cracow 1946) 5 e3 Bg7 etc. ... ".
* later John Paul II
Originally posted by dylI wonder if Maria plays. Maria, if you are on this site, the Apostles would like to provide you with an honorary spot on our site. Rev. Kirk
Arnold Schwarzenegger apparently enjoys playing fairly often. There's an article below covering a social meeting between him and Kasparov.
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1235
Originally posted by Mad CowanYou forgot Ashton's most important hobbie...Demi Moore.😀
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Ashton Kutcher: Really! The pretty boy from that 70's Show. All I know is that it is one of his 3 main hobbies (Golf, Chess, Video Games), which I learned while reading a 17 mag at the dentist office. Apparently, he can 'blow away whomever he plays'.