GothamChess Takes on Harry Kane and Michael Olise at Bayern Munich
Chess and football came together at Bayern Munich when popular chess creator and International Master Levy Rozman, better known as GothamChess, visited the club for a series of games with Harry Kane and Michael Olise. The encounter offered fans a glimpse of the players’ strategic side—and gave Rozman the chance to test two football stars who take the board seriously.
Bayern shared nine photographs from the visit on Thursday, introducing Rozman to the club’s large online audience across Instagram and X. The images featured the chess personality alongside Kane and Olise, turning a training-ground meeting into a crossover moment for followers of both sports.
Rozman thanked the club in the comments, calling the invitation “an honor and a pleasure” and promising that a video of the visit would be coming soon. He delivered on that promise later the same day, publishing footage that included his game with Kane and an analysis of the striker’s play.
A timely chess match after Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph
The visit came just two days after Kane received the Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in London on October 26. The award marked a major milestone for the England captain, who became the first English player to win the honour since Michael Owen in 2001. Kane finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal after a standout 2025/26 season in which he scored 73 goals for club and country.
For Rozman, the timing made the chess session especially memorable. “The timing is just unbelievable,” he said in his video, referring to Kane’s achievement. He also described the Bayern striker as “one of the best chess-playing athletes in the world,” a compliment that reflected the quality of the game rather than simply the occasion.
The match lasted until move 27, when Kane lost on time. That result did not diminish Rozman’s assessment of the footballer’s ability. Reviewing the game, the International Master praised Kane’s positional approach and said he was impressed by the striker’s accuracy. Afterward, Rozman told him: “You played super-precise!” He added that, without knowing Kane’s reputation, he might have estimated the player’s strength at around 2000.
Chess ratings can vary depending on the platform, time control and format, so Rozman’s comment was best understood as an informal measure of the quality he saw in the game—not an official rating. Still, his reaction highlighted a point chess fans often appreciate: strong play is not only about finding flashy attacks. Patience, sound development and careful decisions can be just as revealing.
How Harry Kane became interested in chess
Kane’s enthusiasm for chess began after he watched the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit. In a 2024 interview, he said the show encouraged him to start learning the game. At the time, he described himself as being rated around 1200 in the 10-minute format on Chess.com, adding that he considered it a respectable level.
That rating gives some context to the Bayern match. Kane is not simply a celebrity sitting down for a promotional photo; he has spent time learning the game and building his understanding. His interest also fits naturally with the demands of elite football. Both chess and football reward players who can anticipate what comes next, recognise patterns and adapt when an opponent changes the position.
The comparison has limits, of course: a football match is played across a vast field by a team, while chess is a one-on-one contest on a fixed board. But in both, decisions made several moves—or passes—ahead can shape the outcome. For athletes accustomed to studying opponents and planning under pressure, chess can offer an appealing mental challenge away from competition.
Michael Olise brings another chess enthusiast to the board
Kane was not the only Bayern player with an interest in chess. Michael Olise also joined the session, adding another dimension to the meeting. The France international has spoken publicly about playing the game and has previously appeared in chess-related content with his friend and former Crystal Palace teammate, Arsenal player Eberechi Eze.
Olise has said that his mother taught him the basics before he continued developing his skills on his own. In an interview earlier this year, he estimated his level at around 1400 and set his sights on reaching 1500. “I’m trying to get to 1500. Chess is difficult,” he said—a candid description that will resonate with players who know how demanding steady improvement can be.
His comments also show how chess ratings can become a personal goal, much like improving a skill in football. Moving up even a small rating band can require consistent practice: reviewing mistakes, learning opening principles, spotting tactical opportunities and staying calm when a position becomes complicated.
A crossover moment for chess and football fans
The Bayern visit was part of Rozman’s European tour, which began in Cologne on October 25 and included a Munich stop on October 27. The itinerary also featured Breda, Amsterdam and Zurich before concluding in London on November 10. The schedule brought the chess creator to different cities and audiences, with the Bayern appearance standing out for its mix of sporting star power and genuine interest in the game.
For Bayern supporters, the footage offered a more relaxed view of Kane and Olise beyond match highlights and post-game interviews. For chess fans, it was an opportunity to see how two elite footballers approach the board—and to hear an experienced chess commentator assess their play. Rozman’s analysis made the encounter more than a quick publicity appearance by explaining why Kane’s positional choices impressed him.
The meeting also reflects chess’s growing visibility in popular culture. Online platforms, streaming creators and television have made the game easier to discover, while athletes from football and other sports have helped introduce it to new audiences. Kane’s story, sparked by The Queen’s Gambit, is a clear example of how entertainment can turn casual curiosity into a lasting hobby.
With Kane celebrating the biggest individual award of his football career and Olise working toward his next chess rating milestone, the Bayern session brought together two very different forms of competition. The board may be smaller than a football pitch, but the same qualities—focus, preparation and the ability to think ahead—were on display. And judging by Rozman’s praise, Kane and Olise were ready to make the most of their time at the chessboard.
