CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looked like he had the game sealed.
His queen was advancing up the board. His rook, flanking the left side, was in a solid position. What unfolded after a bad move by his opponent early in the game seemed inevitable.
"He had me dead to rights," said William Wagner, the Bengals' long-snapper.
But Wagner battled. He made one defensive move with his king, and just like that, they had a stalemate.
Cincinnati's first week of training camp has featured a few spirited practices, a noted practice scuffle and an intense edge from a team sick of missing the playoffs. But as it has looked to put the rest of the AFC North in check in 2026, the first days of the season have also featured a chessboard.
Like other team activities this offseason, the game has allowed the Bengals to unwind and spend downtime at the facility and also increase the chemistry needed to become a great team. And it's a window into the mindset of a teammate.
"It is fun because chess is like a personality game, you know?" said Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Coker. "It's like, what are you thinking? Are you trying to go? Are you playing defensive? Playing the long game? Trying to win now? I like it."
Cincinnati can thank center Ted Karras and the addition of more offensive linemen this offseason. In April's draft, the Bengals selected center Connor Lew (No. 128) and offensive tackle Brian Parker II (No. 189), which stretched the seating arrangement inside the locker room farther down the left wall.
Joe Burrow is one of the better chess players on the team. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Annoyed by the lack of proximity, Karras devised a plan. He wanted to add a table to add a gathering space for the position group. Bengals left guard Dylan Fairchild, a rookie last season, found a brown, circular table on Facebook Marketplace for roughly $300.
But along with a place to watch practice film, Karras felt like something was missing.
"I just wanted something to do," Karras said.
So he brought in the chessboard.
After the team practiced Thursday, Karras and Coker played the inaugural game. As they shifted pieces around the board, a crowd gathered. Other offensive linemen started to watch. Eventually Burrow and fellow quarterback Joe Flacco joined the gallery.
The pressure was on.