Olympic Twins: Chess Players as Sports Icons
Hello, dear fans of chess!
As promised in my last blog, today I will share another 'Typical Vanessa' post. I hope you understand that this involves making many imaginative comparisons between our beloved game and something else that seems completely unrelated.
Older readers may remember some other examples, such as:
• Building the Chess Dream Team; comparing chess players and footballers.
• From Boards to Fields: When Chess Matches Meet Football; correlating remarkable matches in both sports.
• VOB Studios Presents: Chess Players Twins In Animated Films, when we discovered which animated film characters our grandmasters would be.
But now, we will return to real life. This time, I want to show you which chess legends have their twins in the world of sports! Can you guess which other renowned athletes can be linked to them, and why?
It may sound silly at first, and well, perhaps it is. But since when have I or my readers cared about it? It is time to find out which sports Nakamura, Carlsen, Kasparov, and many others would practice if they were not sedentary, spending hours a day looking at a board.
So, who is chess’s Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, or Tiger Woods? Let’s find out!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Again, no spoilers)
1. Hikaru Nakamura
2. Mikhail Tal
3. Viswanathan Anand
4. Magnus Carlsen
5. Fabiano Caruana
6. Garry Kasparov
7. Judit Polgár
8. Bobby Fischer
9. Alireza Firouzja
10. Dommaraju Gukesh
Conclusion
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1. Hikaru Nakamura ≈ Usain Bolt
The first one is the most obvious! We all know that Hikaru Nakamura, the famous streamer, is renowned for his incredible performances in fast time controls, particularly in blitz and bullet. We can say that he is a true lightning bolt with the mouse. Therefore, no comparison could be more fitting than with Usain Bolt, the fastest man of all time!
For those unfamiliar with him, the Jamaican sprinter is the world record holder in the 100-meter dash, having achieved a time of 9.58 seconds in Berlin in 2009. He also has three Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters, three more in the 200 meters, and many others in World Championships and team events.
On top of all that, let’s not forget that they have very similar personalities. Both are, shall we say, quite confident, charismatic, and sometimes even a little cocky about their abilities. But given that it is fair and well-founded, their fans love it.
One question remains: Could Nakamura checkmate Usain Bolt in a time faster than his 100-meter sprint? I think so, given that the latter does not even know how to set up the board properly (see the photo of him playing above again).
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Now, we must talk about the Magician of Riga. With his artistic moves of unparalleled beauty, Mikhail Tal amazed spectators with unbelievable sacrifices that made every chess lover ask, 'How could anyone be brave enough to do that?'. So, what kind of athlete does something similar? An artistic gymnast, of course!
That is why I believe that no one could be a better twin for him than Simone Biles: the owner of seven Olympic gold medals and 23 (Oh my God!) World Championship gold medals, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
Magic, artistry, and jaw-dropping creativity... These two have more in common than meets the eye. They both make audiences gasp at the impossible! The only difference is that while I recommend trying to mimic Tal's sacrifices on the board for fun, even if you are unsuccessful, I definitely warn you not to attempt Biles' flips and pirouettes at home.
And let's not forget that, just as in gymnastics, where judges often award those stupid low scores that nobody understands for spectacular jumps, Stockfish also loves to criticize bold and brilliant sacrifices just to feel superior. 'This was not so precise...'
C’mon, shut up!
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3. Viswanathan Anand ≈ Roger Federer
Some people are recognized not only for having outstanding talent in their field, but also for their elegance, sportsmanship, and above all, gentleness both in and out of competitive situations. This is exactly the case with the Indian genius Viswanathan Anand and the famous tennis player Roger Federer!
Having won 20 Grand Slams, one gold and one silver Olympic medal, and numerous other important ATP titles, the Swiss player is considered one of the greatest of all time. As well as being efficient on the court, he played with elegance, respect, and a naturalness that suggests he was born with the gift.
Another striking similarity is that Roger Federer was renowned for his prowess on fast surfaces such as grass, where he won the prestigious Wimbledon title an impressive eight times. Just like him, Anand also excelled in fast time paces. I guess they both feel more comfortable with speed.
However, that does not mean they were not flexible. They were both champions on slower surfaces and time controls, proving that being a specialist does not mean you cannot win outside of that area. And most importantly, regardless of winning or losing, they always reacted like true gentlemen towards their opponents.
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4. Magnus Carlsen ≈ Michael Phelps
The next one is simple but, in my opinion, impossible to disagree with. I say that because for me, when we compare Magnus Carlsen and the legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps, we are talking about the GOAT of chess and the greatest athlete of all time. Therefore, greatness must be matched with greatness.
For those who don’t know, this man has an impressive 23(!!) Olympic gold medals, along with three silvers and two bronzes, which he probably just threw in a drawer somewhere, as they are so insignificant to him. If I were to mention the World Championship achievements, it would become boring. He is simply ridiculous, in a good way.
Both are also known for being polemic and not caring too much about what the media thinks. But the funniest thing is that Carlsen and Phelps are so good that some fans expect nothing less from them than total domination and victory.
Just as many people claim that the Norwegian 'should retire' after finishing second in a tournament with many 2700+ GMs, I remember that, following the 2004 Olympic Games where Phelps won six golds and two bronzes, he was asked in an interview to explain his HUGE FAILURE. Laughable.
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5. Fabiano Caruana ≈ Peyton Manning
Next is perhaps the calmest, most intellectual, and best-prepared chess player of our era. There is certainly no one better suited to be Fabiano Caruana's twin than Peyton Manning, the former American football quarterback and member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Like our master, Manning always stood out for his brain. During his heyday, he was considered one of the most intelligent players ever. Having him in charge of the attack was like having an extra coach on the pitch who could read defenses like a chessboard, always one step ahead.
While Caruana is renowned for his in-depth opening preparation, sometimes surprising even other top GMs, Manning was a quarterback who was always prepared for any defense, calling genius plays at the line of scrimmage. They may not have been the most talented, but their brilliance stemmed from hard work and mental strength.
Also, they both had to live with the familiar 'so close' narrative. Peyton was often criticized for painful playoff losses before finally lifting two Super Bowl trophies. Likewise, Caruana came agonizingly close to the world title in 2018. However, I still believe their stories will be even more similar when he finally becomes the World Chess Champion.
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6. Garry Kasparov ≈ Muhammad Ali
Obviously, the legendary Garry Kasparov could not be left out of this text. As every chess fan knows, 'The Beast of Baku' was a player who could dominate any rival with his aggressive style of play that barely let his opponents breathe, putting them on the ropes. When the final blow came, the knockout was inevitable!
Therefore, I felt that the fairest comparison would be with perhaps the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, who was famous for being a supremely skilled and successful athlete. He was the first three-time heavyweight champion, and his unique style, speed, and heart conquered fans all around the world.
Apart from their similarities in terms of aggressiveness, I think what brings them closer together is their influence on politics and their commitment to the causes they believed in.
Kasparov became a politician after retiring and has always spoken out in defense of his beliefs. Similarly, Ali gained global recognition for his outspoken activism, most notably for his opposition to the Vietnam War and his support for Black pride and civil rights.
One final note: if Garry Kasparov is like Muhammad Ali, then perhaps Anatoly Karpov's twin would be his great rival, Joe Frazier.
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7. Judit Polgár ≈ Serena Williams
And what about Judit Polgár, the eternal queen of chess? Her twin would surely have to be someone who dominated the women's game and sparked new debates about equality. Serena Williams is another disruptive figure in her sport, so she would be the perfect match.
With 23 Grand Slam titles, four Olympic gold medals in total, and many WTA victories to her name, Serena is widely regarded as the greatest female tennis player of all time. Many consider her, in my opinion, correctly, to be on par with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. She is proof that talent and hard work are not gender specific.
Certainly, both can be considered heroines for breaking barriers in a male-dominated space, inspiring a whole new generation of girls all around the world, and showing that they can compete among the best. Thanks to athletes like them, we remain hopeful that the future will be brighter for women in sport.
Finally, I would like to make an honorable mention to Billie Jean King, another tennis star who could also be compared to Judit. Both she and Serena would fit very well, so if you are not familiar with her story, I highly recommend checking it out!
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8. Bobby Fischer ≈ Tiger Woods
Bobby Fischer was undoubtedly a chess genius! But that is not all. He also played a key role in making the sport better known worldwide. At the height of his career, even people who were not chess fans would mention his name if asked about a player. He brought the game to a whole new level of popularity.
Another person who achieved this was the golfer Tiger Woods, the greatest icon in the history of his sport, who got the whole nation talking about it more than ever before. With 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories to his name, his legacy goes far beyond results.
However, although brilliant, they were also controversial and flawed, creating polemics that transcended their sport. Fischer was banned from his own country for violating UN sanctions. Woods was embroiled in an infidelity scandal in 2009 involving not only one, but numerous extramarital affairs. He also faced a DUI arrest in 2017 due to prescription drugs.
Brilliant in their field, but chaotic behaviors that made headlines in the media focus much more on their personal lives than on their sporting achievements. Bobby Fischer and Tiger Woods will certainly be remembered, for better or worse.
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9. Alireza Firouzja ≈ Erling Haaland
Some chess prodigies, like Alireza Firouzja, leave fans in awe with their meteoric rise, prompting them to ask where this phenomenon came from. This is what happened in 2021, when he became the youngest player ever to achieve an Elo rating of 2800 at the age of 18. Shocking!
During this period, the forward Erling Haaland was destroying defenses in Germany. After scoring nine goals in a single game for the Norway U20 national team, he began his time at Borussia Dortmund by averaging more than one goal per game, an incredible feat for someone of his age.
Haaland was then sold to Manchester City. Firouzja went on to play in his first Candidates Tournament. While I would not call them failures or flops, I think that, in both cases, they have not yet met the high expectations placed on them when they were younger.
The Iranian/French master has yet to perform better on the biggest stages. The Norwegian has still not proven himself, particularly in major competitions and decisive matches. Consequently, many are already questioning whether they are truly destined to become the future stars they once promised to be, or if they were just a flash in the pan.
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10. Dommaraju Gukesh ≈ Jordan Stolz
On the other hand, some young talents reach the top very quickly, prompting many to ask how they did it so prematurely. This is why Indian world champion Dommaraju Gukesh and American ice speed skating star Jordan Stolz are such a good match and the final pair of twins on my list.
Aged just 21, Stolz has already won a gold medal at last year's World All-Round Championship, as well as many more medals at single distance events. This makes him not only a promising future prospect, but also one of today's best. Pundits consider him a strong contender for a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Similarly, Gukesh is neither the undisputed best nor does he hold unanimous agreement. However, last year he became the youngest ever world champion and led his country to their first Olympiad gold medal, playing on board one. Nevertheless, we are all certain that he has not yet reached his full potential.
Perhaps they will both become stars and GOAT contenders in the future. Or maybe this spark will not last very long. Nobody knows. This raises an important question that always comes to mind when we talk about them: How far will they go?
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I hope you enjoyed the text, had fun, and found the comparisons reasonable. It is no secret that I love writing this kind of nonsense and trying to make it work somehow. Please let me know of any inaccuracies and suggest other correlations. I would love to expand my horizons!
Although chess is not an official Olympic sport, perhaps our favorite players could try their luck in other areas, right? And if you are wondering whether any famous athletes from other sports also enjoy chess, you can find out in my blog, Chess and the Olympic Games: An Eternal Friendzone?
Also, this kind of text has inspired other bloggers to create similar texts using the same concept. You can check out the following posts:
• Blitz, Brains, and Superpowers: Chess Legends as Superheroes by @AaravRoy_25 and
• If Openings Were People by @Chesser1492
Final note: I experimented with using AI to create images of chess masters playing other sports. I am not sure if it was successful. Please let me know if you prefer that or my rough collages.
That is all for today, folks! We will meet again in 15 days, this time to discuss a more serious topic. Take care!
