Sporting KC striker Dejan Joveljic has revealed a surprising and impressive talent beyond the soccer pitch: chess. The Serbian forward has been a serious chess player since the COVID-19 lockdown, dedicating significant time to honing his skills.
Joveljic boasts a Chess.com rating of approximately 2,500, a figure that places him in the upper echelons of online chess players. He confidently states that he believes he can beat other elite athletes in blitz chess, showcasing his competitive spirit extending to the 64 squares.
His journey into the strategic world of chess began with lessons from his grandfather and father. However, it was the enforced downtime during the pandemic that allowed him to elevate his game through consistent daily practice and dedicated study.
For Joveljic, chess offers more than just a pastime; it's a form of therapy. While he finds immense satisfaction in the strategic battles, he also admits to the natural frustration that accompanies a loss, a sentiment familiar to any competitor.
The striker draws a compelling parallel between the mental demands of chess and soccer. He believes that the critical decision-making required under pressure in chess directly translates to his performance on the field, enhancing his ability to think quickly and effectively during intense matches.
His dedication to the game has reached a remarkable milestone: the creation of his own Chess.com bot, meticulously designed to resemble him. While he expresses pride in this digital doppelganger, he also shares a humorous anecdote about the bot's immediate success in defeating him, a testament to its formidable programming.
When asked about chess among his MLS teammates, Joveljic notes that he doesn't engage in many matches against them. However, he singles out Lasse Berg Johnsen as the strongest player on the Sporting KC squad, though he quickly points out that Johnsen's rating is still considerably lower than his own.
Joveljic's dual passion for soccer and chess presents a fascinating case study in athletic prowess and strategic thinking, proving that some talents truly know no bounds.
