Dejan Joveljic's Chess Strategy Fuels Scoring Success for Sporting Kansas City
Dejan Joveljic, the striker for Sporting Kansas City, has found a unique edge in his game through chess. Introduced to the game by his father and grandfather, the 26-year-old now combines his love for chess with soccer, outsmarting defenders on the pitch. His chess skills have earned him a spot as the top chess soccer player on chess.com, boasting a 2217 rating. Joveljic joins Christian Pulisic as one of the few soccer players with bots on the site, allowing fans to challenge him. He enjoys playing blitz matches during the MLS season, which last about three minutes, and often dominates chess games with teammates in the locker room. "I'm playing on a top professional level, and I like to play chess as well... I am one of the best," Joveljic stated, highlighting his impressive chess ranking and competitive spirit. Despite his success, he faces challenges in participating in local tournaments due to time constraints. Joveljic aspires to see more chess competitions among athletes, similar to NFL tournaments. He expressed interest in playing against stars like Mohamed Salah and Magnus Carlsen. On the field, his chess training has translated into impressive performance; since 2023, only Denis Bouanga, Lionel Messi, and Brian White have outscored him in MLS with 51 goals. As he leads Sporting Kansas City with six goals this season, he recognizes the need for his team to improve, especially as they sit below the playoff line. Joveljic describes his playing style as aggressive, both in soccer and chess. He likens himself to a pawn, emphasizing versatility and the potential for transformation on the board. As the season progresses, he remains focused on helping his team climb the standings, showcasing his dual prowess in both soccer and chess.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-20