The Mind Games of Chess and Football

Abdul Carter is always several moves ahead when preparing to checkmate opponents.

No. 11 feeds off outsmarting opponents and strategizing attacks on the football field and chess board.

Micah Parsons, who previously donned the stix, spoke with the team at the beginning of the season, and Carter admired his competitiveness.

“He didn’t accept a loss,” Carter said, reflecting on Parsons’ mentality.

After a breakout freshman season with over six sacks and ten tackles for loss, the linebacker is still hungry.

“I don’t want to be beaten in anything,” Carter said. “I feel like I want to be the best at everything.”

Even chess.

The entire Penn State defense has been a force to be reckoned with under Manny Diaz’s scheme. With already 11 tackles, a sack and an interception, Carter is a crucial piece on the board.

There are different ways to lose a chess match or football game, but Carter’s “thinking on the go” in “split seconds” has provided him with calculated, purposeful ways that force mistakes.

Opponents trying to protect their kings from Penn State haven’t been successful. Quarterbacks have been forced into countless checkmates: sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles.

Carter has the versatility of a queen piece — he can be utilized in several capacities and defends by attacking the adversary’s weaknesses.

The sophomore’s belief of being the most powerful on the field is similar to the queen on the chess board. He brings a fear factor that forces negative yardage, conservative moves and poor offensive decision-making.

With his speed, Carter easily bypasses the pawns of the opponent’s offensive line. That initial barrier has broken through quickly, leaving the King more exposed.

The diagonal movement of a bishop mimics the offense’s tight ends. Depending on the play call, they either serve as a blocker or shift into a position to make a catch. However, the defensive bishop can do the same when anticipating the play and warding off any intent to break free.

Wide receiver rooks move up the field looking for explosiveness, and running back knights try to get involved in the rush and pass to pick apart a defense.

But against Carter and the rest of the Nittany Lions, opening strategies rarely succeed.

“People try, but I haven’t been beaten yet,” Carter said about anyone who dares to conquer him in chess.

Because of how Penn State’s defense functions, it can methodically attack quarterbacks. It’s a mind game.

Creating checkmates derives from increased consistency and Carter’s commitment to “perfecting [his] craft” and “lowering mistakes.”

Through each game of chess or football played, the approach and strategy naturally improve and develop. Checkmates are ultimately forced faster, allowing Penn State to put the ball back in the offense’s hands.

And Carter still thinks he’s gotten better: “Nothing good comes easy.”

The mind games of football and chess require control and the ability to look ahead.

Carter has proven to be a tactical piece that is hard to prevent from scheming and correlating the two games he never wants to be second-best at.

Amanda Vogt is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email amandaevogt@gmail.com.