Client Success Story: Queenside Ventures works with Cleveland Browns to Integrate Chess and Leadership Development

Photo by Matt Starkey

At Queenside Ventures, we believe that chess isn’t just a game—it’s a strategic tool that can help athletes and leaders sharpen their decision-making, planning, and problem-solving skills. That’s why we have partnered with the Cleveland Browns for 2 years to bring our unique chess leadership program to their rookie athletes. This collaboration is about more than just teaching rookies how to play chess; it’s about using chess as a tool to build mental strength, teamwork, and strategic thinking on and off the field.

Building Leadership through Chess

The idea for integrating chess into the rookie program stemmed from an insightful observation: a player in the Browns’ locker room is a chess fanatic. According to Sahaana Durgam, Player Services Coordinator for the Browns, “We have a player in our locker room who is a chess fanatic—he loves chess, he’s excellent at chess.” This sparked a conversation about how chess could help the team think more strategically, similar to how they approach football.

Sahaana shared that the Browns saw how the game’s strategic elements—anticipating opponents’ moves and understanding each piece’s role—could be applied to football. “My boss clocked that and thought it would be really good to teach the rookies how to play because the strategies behind chess are so applicable to football,” she explained. “It’s about anticipating your opponents' next move and thinking about what role every piece plays.”

The Browns were looking to bring in a leader who understood both the game of chess and the mindset of an athlete. After meeting with Ashley Lynn Priore, Founder and CEO of Queenside Ventures, the team was sold. Sahaana noted, “We were really impressed by everything that she had to say and thought that she really knew her stuff. She has a huge passion for football, so it was a perfect fit.”

The Power of Chess in Training: Rookies Learning to Think Strategically

In 2023, we launched the program with the Browns’ rookie class, which included both seasoned chess players and those who had never touched a chessboard before. The results were incredible. By the end of the session, players who had no prior experience with chess were able to play a full game.

Ashley, with her deep expertise in chess and leadership, broke down the game step by step, ensuring every rookie was engaged and comfortable. “Ashley went above and beyond explaining everything,” Sahaana said. “The guys liked it—they even started to recognize that this piece is kind of like a linebacker and this piece is like a safety, which was really awesome to watch.”

Ashley’s approach was key to the success of the sessions. She made sure the game wasn’t intimidating for beginners, creating an inclusive, relaxed learning environment. “She didn’t try to intimidate them with it. She was very like, ‘This is how to do it, and if you’re an absolute beginner, that’s okay.’”

Making Connections: How Chess Mirrors Football

The connection between chess and football became evident during the sessions. The players began drawing parallels between the game’s pieces and football positions, which helped them understand chess in a new way. “They even started to recognize that this piece is kind of like a linebacker and this piece is like a safety,” Sahaana recalled. “It was really awesome to watch.”

Ashley’s ability to relate the game to the players’ football experiences was a game-changer. “Her tailoring the entire session to a way that a football player might learn—making connections from the pieces to the positions—was huge. It helped them see that anticipating what your opponent might do in football is the same as in chess,” Sahaana explained. This crossover between the two worlds gave the rookies a deeper understanding of both sports and strategy.

A Relaxed, Stress-Free Learning Environment

One of the most important aspects of our chess leadership sessions is the relaxed, low-pressure environment. Many athletes initially hesitate to learn chess, thinking it’s too complex or intimidating. But Ashley’s approach helps ease those fears. “For them, it’s nice to get the mental practice without physically having to do football,” Sahaana noted. “It was a time for the guys to just sit down, chill, play a game of chess, and destress a little bit. It kept things light and fun, making sure they were learning.”

Ashley’s teaching style created a space where rookies could take their time, move at their own pace, and feel comfortable being beginners. Sahaana shared, “Ashley made it so easily digestible for them and relatable for the athletes. She was able to adjust her approach based on who she was working with—whether it was our players or staff. She’s adaptable, which is a huge skill to have in this work.”

Returning for Year Two: Continued Success

After the success of the first session, the Browns invited Queenside back for a second year to work with their new rookie class. This time, rookies were just as engaged, eager to learn, and ready to experience the same impactful chess leadership training. “The guys who came to the session and really wanted to learn how to play chess really got something out of it,” said Sahaana. “And the guys who weren’t super keen on it turned around by the end of it and thought it was pretty cool.”

The mental benefits were clear: increased focus, strategic thinking, and patience—qualities that are valuable both on and off the field. “It’s a good way for the players to find a way to enhance their gameplay without actually playing the game,” Sahaana explained. “It’s a cool skill to have to be able to play chess because you never know when that’s going to come up.”

Looking Forward: More Impactful Partnerships

We’re incredibly proud of the success of our partnership with the Cleveland Browns, and we’re excited to continue using chess as a tool for leadership development in sports. As Sahaana said, “Ashley is awesome, and everything that she is doing is amazing with bridging the gap between athletics and chess.” This partnership exemplifies how chess can be used to build mental agility, teamwork, and leadership—skills that translate to success in any field.

At Queenside Ventures, we’re committed to empowering athletes, leaders, and students through strategic thinking, decision-making, and the lessons of chess. We’re grateful for our partnership with the Cleveland Browns and look forward to expanding this work in the future. If you’re part of a team or organization looking to incorporate chess into your development programs, we’d love to connect and help you leverage the power of chess for growth.