Just days after propelling Crystal Palace to the FA Cup final, Eberechi Eze has secured another remarkable victory—this time in the realm of chess. The 26-year-old England international emerged victorious in Chess.com's four-day amateur PogChamps tournament, pocketing $20,000 in prize money. This event featured 12 celebrity content creators and athletes, with Eze defeating American YouTuber Sapnap in the final, which boasted a total prize fund of $100,000.

Eze's journey into chess began thanks to his former Palace teammate Michael Olise, who introduced him to the game. The two would often engage in matches at the club's training ground. Reflecting on his initiation, Eze told The Athletic in 2023: "I didn't start learning chess until Michael came in. It was him and my brother who nudged me to learn how to play and face them, so that's when I started studying the game, watching YouTube videos of the best chess openings, things like that."

The tournament required players to compete in a group stage to earn a spot in the Championship bracket. Eze clinched the final 2-0, broadcast live on Twitch. Crystal Palace celebrated his dual prowess on X, quoting Chess.com's announcement: "He can do it all."

On the football pitch this season, Eze has been equally impressive, scoring nine goals and providing 11 assists in 38 appearances for Crystal Palace. The Eagles are now gearing up for their FA Cup final clash against Manchester City on Saturday, 17 May, aiming to secure the club's first major trophy.

Eze's ability to excel in both football and chess underscores his exceptional talent and versatility, making him a standout figure in the world of sports.