If you think chess is just about math, logic, and pure strategy, you might be surprised. Underneath the serious faces and intense concentration, chess players are some of the most superstitious people you will ever meet.
From lucky pens to refusing to get a haircut for months, grandmasters and club players alike cling to bizarre rituals to help them win. Let’s take a fun tour through the weirdest and funniest chess superstitions ever recorded.
The “Lucky Pen” Phenomenon
When we think of lucky items, we might picture a rabbit’s foot or a special hat. But in the chess world, the undisputed king of superstitions is the lucky pen. Almost every professional player has a pen they refuse to lose.
Even the legendary Mikhail Tal who was known as The Magician of Riga for his wild sacrifices, was deeply superstitious. He half-jokingly blamed losing his World Championship title on the fact that he forgot his lucky pen on the table. When he went back to get it, it was gone!
Many players believe that if they lose a game with a specific pen, that pen is poisoned and must be thrown away immediately. It’s a harsh standard, but when you’re fighting for a prize, you take no chances.
The “Don’t Cut Your Hair” Rule
Another classic superstition involves personal grooming. Just like athletes in other sports, many chess players refuse to cut their hair during an important tournament.
Former World Champion Anatoly Karpov once joked about the grueling 1984 match against Garry Kasparov. The match lasted an astonishing five months! Karpov said one of the hardest parts of the tournament was waiting that long just to get a haircut.
The Cursed Coffee Cup
bad things happen during a game and people start to think it is because of bad luck. This is what happened to International Master Vladas Mikenas when he was playing against Alexander Alekhine in a tournament in 1937.
Alexander Alekhine was feeling really nervous. A waiter came to give him coffee. Then something weird happened. Of putting sugar in his coffee Alexander Alekhine accidentally dropped a white chess piece into his cup. He was so frustrated that he pushed the coffee away.
Vladas Mikenas remembered that Alexander Alekhine looked very pale and scared after this happened. So, did the bad coffee really affect the game? Maybe it did. Vladas Mikenas made a mistake. Missed a move that would have won him the game. Then Alexander Alekhine won.
Vladas Mikenas said it was okay he would just have to beat Alexander Alekhine… Guess what he actually did. Alexander Alekhine was so upset about losing that he did not talk to Vladas Mikenas for three days. The thing is, great chess players, like Alexander Alekhine and Vladas Mikenas really hate to lose.
| Superstition / Ritual | Description |
|---|---|
| Lucky Pen/Pencil | A special pen used only for writing down moves. If lost, the player may refuse to play. |
| Same Outfit/Shoes | Players wear the exact same clothes or shoes for every tournament game. |
| Specific Seating | Refusing to change sides of the board because “that” side won the last game. |
| Bottle Cap Ritual | Refusing to start unless the water bottle lid is lying upside down next to the clock. |
| Piece Touching | Rubbing the crown of the queen before moving her for “royal luck.” |
| Hair Length | Never cutting hair during a tournament. One player waited 5 months for a haircut! |
The Alekhine Story: When Superstition Meets Strategy
The story of Alekhine and Mikenas is one of the most entertaining examples of chess superstition in action. After their dinner conversation, Alekhine became convinced that the previous night’s chat was a bad omen. During the game, Alekhine dropped a chess pawn into his coffee cup instead of a sugar cube, a mistake that Mikenas interpreted as Alekhine being deeply rattled.
This story shows something fascinating: superstitions can actually affect performance. When Alekhine felt his luck was cursed, he played nervously. When Mikenas realized his opponent was shaken, he gained confidence. In chess, a strong mind is just as important as strong moves.
Why Do We Do This?
Superstitions give players a false sense of control over the uncontrollable. If you believe your lucky pen will help you win, you play with more confidence. And in chess, confidence is almost as powerful as a perfectly calculated checkmate. So, the next time you sit down to play, don’t be afraid to grab your lucky mug or sit in your favorite spot. After all, a little bit of magic never hurt anyone.