The Chess Connection: How Chess Shaped USC’s Miller Moss and Kamari Ramsey
The Journey from Chess Board to USC Football Field: How Miller Moss and Kamari Ramsey’s Love for Chess Shaped Their Careers
Long before Miller Moss earned the USC starting quarterback job, he sat in front of a chess board at the Santa Monica Public Library. At just 3 years old, his eyes full of wonder, Moss would peer over the chess pieces at opponents several decades his senior. His parents enrolled him in the chess program at the library, hoping to hone his young mind, and it quickly became clear that chess spoke to him, even as a toddler.
Moss’ mother, Emily Kovner Moss, credits Mel Bloch, the man who ran the chess program, for shaping her son’s mind as a quarterback. Bloch, a Vietnam vet and poet, taught Moss opening and endgame strategies, introduced him to speed chess, and even arranged for him to play against a grandmaster. Through years of teaching Moss the game, Bloch instilled in him the importance of resilience and the ability to shrug off losses.
This early exposure to chess played a crucial role in Moss’ development as a quarterback, with USC coach Lincoln Riley emphasizing Moss’ mental acuity as a key asset for the team. Moss’ ability to understand the whole board and anticipate his opponent’s moves mirrors the strategic thinking required in chess.
On the defensive side, Kamari Ramsey’s journey from high school chess player to USC safety showcases a similar path. Ramsey’s love for chess stemmed from its strategic nature, requiring him to see the whole board and anticipate future moves. His deep understanding of the game translated seamlessly to the football field, where he excelled in reading opposing offenses and adapting to defensive schemes.
As USC gears up for the season opener, Moss and Ramsey’s chess-inspired approach to the game could prove instrumental in the team’s success. Both players continue to hone their skills on and off the field, with Ramsey even engaging in online chess matches with teammates.
In a locker room filled with competitive chess players, the battle for supremacy continues. As Arnold asserts his claim as the best chess player on the team, the strategic thinking and mental agility honed through chess could be the key to USC’s success this season.
From the chess board to the football field, the influence of the game is evident in the strategic prowess and mental resilience of players like Miller Moss and Kamari Ramsey, shaping their careers and contributing to USC’s competitive edge.