It’s clear that Jamie Foxx is a very talented man, the winner of an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ray Charles (himself a chess player) and a Grammy Award for his song “Blame It.”
![Foxx vs Acers, 220406](/sites/default/files/styles/1080px_wide_scale/public/media/images/outfoxxed-220406-herb-leonard-insta.png.webp?itok=kLxgHcd2)
At the chessboard, well, let’s say that his career is still on the rise.
Or so says Jude Acers.
![Jude Acers, April 2022 (Instagram)](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/media/images/jude-acers-april-2022-instagram.jpg.webp?itok=7Tta2BVW)
Every chess fan who visits New Orleans knows to visit Decatur Street in the French Quarter. There, on a table just outside a praline shop called Southern Candymakers, the legendary Acers holds court daily, playing games with all comers for a small fee.
Early in the evening of April 6 — Jude’s birthday — Jamie Foxx came by to try his hand against the master. Not for a film or a show, but just for love of the game.
At first it was just Foxx and a few friends, but soon, people realized who was playing, and a crowd quickly formed to witness the battle and banter.
Our man Herb Leonard (IG: @phototypeproductions) was on-hand to take these photos of a truly historic matchup. No report of the final result has trickled out, although we know that Jude had the upper hand in at least one of the games.
[pgn][Event "New Orleans (informal)"] [Site "?"] [Date "2022.04.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Acers, Jude"] [Black "Foxx, Jamie"] [Result "*"] [Annotator "Hartmann,John"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3r3k/5pp1/7p/pp2P3/4BP2/6P1/nPP1NK1P/R7 b - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "1"] [EventDate "2022.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2022.04.08"] {Judging by the photographic evidence, Foxx was on move here, and correctly decided on} 1... Nb4 {to save his knight. Unfortunately we do not know what Acers played, but it's clear that Black is in trouble.} ({After} 1... Nb4 { play might continue with the obvious} 2. Rxa5 {when Black has to be careful to avoid a back-rank mate, i.e.,} Rd2 $4 3. Ra8+ {. With the wily veteran up a piece, two pawns, and having the initiative, it looks like a tough day at the office for the Hollywood legend.}) * [/pgn]
In an email to Chess Life, Acers lauded Foxx for his playing potential — “[he] would beat about 95 percent of all players... at very least 2000 ELO if he gets serious” — and for his generosity. Apparently Foxx tips very well.
This story will appear in the May 2022 issue of Chess Life.
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