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Checkmate on the Pitch: How Chess is Scoring Goals Among Footballers

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Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland
EPL stars go from pitch to pawn

Football stars like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah are trading tackles for chessboards, sparking a global surge in the game's popularity.


“In chess and football, the important thing is to control the middle...”


Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah are among the Premier League stars hooked on chess, contributing to the game's growing popularity among younger fans. Haaland, the Manchester City striker, is so into chess that he's invested in a new chess tour, capitalizing on the game's increased profile thanks to celebrity players.


Other football stars who love chess include Liverpool's Salah, England teammates Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Anthony Gordon, as well as Arsenal midfielders Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze. Salah is particularly obsessed with the faster 'blitz' version of chess, playing it online anonymously every day.


The connection between football and chess isn't surprising, given their shared strategic elements. “In chess and football, the important thing is to control the middle,” says chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, a Real Madrid fan. Pep Guardiola agrees, noting the similarities between the two games.




Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and England team-mates Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Anthony Gordon are all into chess. Salah is particularly hooked on 'blitz' chess, playing anonymously online.


Salah can't get enough of chess: “I'm addicted to chess. Every day, literally every day,” the Egyptian said, revealing his obsession with the game. He's not alone, as fellow stars Erling Haaland and others join him in enjoying the strategic game.


Arsenal's Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are chess enthusiasts, with Eze winning an amateur tournament in 2025. Their love for the game mirrors that of chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, a huge football fan and five-time world champion.




Carlsen's passion for football and chess has contributed to the surprising crossover between the two sports. “In chess and football, the important thing is to control the middle,” he notes, highlighting the strategic similarities.


Trent Alexander-Arnold often plays chess with his brothers and even got to play Magnus Carlsen once - though it didn't end well. Carlsen beat him in just 17 moves, wrapping up the game in five minutes.


AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic has a queen chess piece tattooed on his arm, a tribute to his grandfather who introduced him to the game. It's a personal connection to chess, a game that's gaining popularity among football stars.


France World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann and Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal are also into chess, joining the likes of Pulisic and other footballers who appreciate the game's strategic depthm


At first glance, chess and football seem like vastly different worlds - one cerebral and contemplative, the other physical and aggressive. But scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find more similarities than you'd expect.


The strategic battles, tactical maneuvers, and decision-making under pressure are common threads that link these two seemingly disparate games. As Pep Guardiola notes, “In chess and football, the important thing is to control the middle.”


“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football,” Haaland said.


“You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything.”



Chess Tour Takes Cue from Football's Champions League Format

The new chess tour, backed by FIDE, will feature four tournaments yearly in different cities, crowning a world champion across three disciplines: classic, rapid, and blitz. With a minimum £2 million prize pool, it's a major boost for the game, says FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.


“It's remarkably similar” to football's Champions League format, notes Dvorkovich, highlighting the tour's potential to attract top players and fans. 


“Seeing a world-class athlete like Erling Haaland join the Total World Chess Championship Tour is a powerful signal of the global attention and cultural relevance that chess enjoys today,” FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said.


.Chess originated in 7th century India, but it's come a long way since then. The game has gone digital, with online apps replacing traditional boards as the go-to platform for players.


The Covid-19 pandemic fueled the chess boom, with online play skyrocketing. FIDE estimates at least 1.5 billion people now have a chess app on their phone, transforming how the game is played and enjoyed.


The Queen's Gambit and celebrity fans like footballers have revamped chess' image, turning it into a trendy activity. The game's strategic depth also attracts football managers seeking a mental boost for their tactical battles.


Chess is no longer seen as a niche, stuffy game. Its popularity surge is partly due to influencers and the realization that its strategic elements can translate to other competitive fields, like football.


Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is a big fan of chess, and he knows a thing or two about strategy. “You have no idea how similar the two things are,” he said in 'Pep Confidential', referring to football and chess 


Avid Real Madrid fan Carlsen sees his game through the same lens as former Barcelona coach Guardiola: “In chess and football, the important thing is to control the middle. If you control the middle, you control the pitch or the board,” he said. “In terms of space, it's remarkably similar.”


For footballers hooked on chess, like Harry Kane, the game is a great way to unwind - but it's no replacement for scoring winning goals. “Chess is perfect for relaxation,” Kane says, keeping his focus on football.


Will checkmate ever trump the thrill of a last-minute winner? Probably not, but chess offers a different kind of satisfaction. For now, footballers are enjoying the mental challenge and strategic similarities between the two games.


“I use chess to switch off,” he said. “It's such a mental game. You have to focus on every moment.”




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