Who Is The NFL’s Best Chess Player? Stars Line-Up For BlitzChamps II Tournament

Chess.com's all-star hunt for the best chess player in the NFL is back for a second edition featuring eight of your favorite footballers. BlitzChamps II kicks off on June 23 with $100,000 at stake for charity and the all-important bragging rights for the players.

Reigning BlitzChamps king, Chidobe Awuzie, the Cincinnati Bengals cornerback, returns to defend his title of NFL's best chess player. Larry Fitzgerald Jr., one of the greatest wide receivers of all time and a longtime chess aficionado, also makes a return in the knockout along with Arik Armstead of the San Francisco 49ers.

New on the roster for this year are Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, New York Jets Wes Schweitzer and Chazz Surratt, plus the Tennessee Titans’ Caleb Farley, and Seattle Seahawks legend Richard Sherman.

All eight are ready to go, but the Jets teammates Wes and Chazz are among the favorites to threaten Chidobe's crown. Both are chess fans who have broken the 1400 Elo rating mark on Chess.com.

Along with the event, fans can enjoy the new Larry and Chidobe bots that will be available to play on our Play Computer page. There will also be special prizes on offer during the event for fans.

Last year, Chidobe won $25,000 for his charity, Awuzie Kickstep Foundation, after beating his longtime locker room chess rival and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper 2-0 in the final. Cooper also secured $22,500 for his selected charity, The Barnyard.

In the commentary box for this year's event, IM Danny Rensch will be joined by the former Baltimore Ravens guard and center John Urschel and the NFL reporter and TV host Cynthia Frelund.

Make sure you tune in to Chess.com/TV or to our Twitch and YouTube channels on June 23 at 9 a.m. PT/ 12 p.m. ET to watch these stars play their best moves!