by Press release
7/15/2025 – Golden State Warriors forward Quinten Post has claimed the title of first-ever NBA Chess Champion, winning the blitz tournament at the inaugural Chesstival, a unique crossover event co-hosted by Derrick Rose and Freestyle Chess at the Wynn Las Vegas. Post scored an impressive 4.5 out of 5, defeating several top basketball personalities in five fast-paced rounds. | Photo: Tania Sachdev and Quentin Post playing "Head and Hand" | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Freestyle Chess
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Press release, Las Vegas, NV – July 14, 2025
Post's performance earned him the unofficial crown of top chess player in the NBA – and a $25,000 charity donation to Reading Partners, a nonprofit that provides personalized literacy tutoring to elementary school students.
Ouinten Post | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Freestyle Chess
Wearing a checkered shirt to match the mood, Post demonstrated flair and skill, including a stunning rook sacrifice against Chicago Bulls guard Tony Snell in round three. His only draw came against Dallas Mavericks forward Grant Williams in round four. Former Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo finished just behind with 4 points.
While players were on their own during the games, they received grandmaster insight beforehand. The format was fast, fun, and full of surprises – just as Derrick Rose had envisioned when he dreamed up the event.
Derrick Rose | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Freestyle Chess
Grant Williams and Judit Polgar Win Head & Hand
The earlier "Head & Hand" knockout tournament brought basketball stars and chess grandmasters together on the same side of the board. In this format, the grandmaster calls the piece to be played, while the NBA player decides where to move it – all under a 10-minute time control. Communication, instincts, and clock management all played a role.
Early rounds saw early exits for strong teams: Derrick Rose and world number one Magnus Carlsen were knocked out in the quarterfinals, as were Rajon Rondo and world number two Hikaru Nakamura.
Magnus Carlsen and Derrick Rose | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Freestyle Chess
The winners: Grant Williams, Dallas Mavericks forward, and former chess World Championship candidate Judit Polgar, who defeated Tony Snell, Chicago Bulls guard, and Fabiano Caruana, world number three, in the final. Polgar praised Williams for his calm timing, while Williams compared the chessboard to the free-throw line. The duo donated their $25,000 prize to the Grant Williams Family Foundation.
The winners with their prize | Photo: Stev Bonhage / Freestyle Chess
Preparation before the game | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Freestyle Chess
Chesstival was held three days before the $750,000 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam and marked a new milestone in bringing chess to a wider audience. "Being able to do this now is unreal, it’s a blessing and it’s just a start," said Rose. The event raised $50,000 for charity.
The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam begins Wednesday, July 16, with 16 of the world’s top players competing in a high-stakes double elimination tournament at Wynn Las Vegas.
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