O’Donoghue: “Salah’s Chess Hobby Shows His Relentless Drive to Improve on the Pitch” | OneFootball

Liverpool, Salah, and Chess: Can Board Games Boost a Footballer’s Edge?

In the latest Mind-Field Podcast from Anfield Index, hosts Dr Andrew Vincent and Allen O’Donoghue explored an intriguing question: Can playing chess enhance Mohamed Salah’s on-field performance for Liverpool? The discussion covered chess, mental agility, and how transferable skills in sports and games could impact elite footballers.

Salah’s Chess Moves: A New Dimension to Football?

The podcast kicked off with a question from the Mind-Field Discord community. Salah was spotted playing chess with a fan, sparking speculation about whether the strategic game could sharpen his football instincts. As Allen O’Donoghue noted, “Would be interesting to see if someone asks him one day,” hinting at the unexplored connection between chess and football.

Dr Vincent, a psychologist with a focus on sports, elaborated on how skills transfer across domains. He explained, “Playing chess alone is not enough to make you a better soccer player. The transfer has to be intentional. It’s about connecting reflection to performance.”

This idea ties in with the broader Liverpool ethos under Arne Slot, where marginal gains and innovative thinking contribute to team success. Salah’s chess hobby could potentially reflect this commitment to continuous improvement.

The Role of Reflection in Sporting Success

A key theme of the discussion was reflection. According to Dr Vincent, the benefits of chess (or any non-football activity) only manifest when athletes reflect on their experiences. He stressed that reflection is what makes skills transferable, saying, “The reflective piece is actually the important piece, not the playing of chess necessarily.”

Allen supported this view by sharing a personal anecdote. His daughter, progressing through football coaching, was asked to complete reflective paperwork after training sessions. He remarked, “She was forced to think about what she did well, what she could improve on, and that reflective practice was definitely beneficial.”

This approach aligns with Salah’s known dedication to personal development. His obsession with self-improvement, noted by Dr Vincent, likely makes him more inclined to draw parallels between chess strategies and football tactics.

Nature, Nurture, and Salah’s Mental Edge

The podcast ventured into a fascinating debate on whether Salah’s ability to adapt on the pitch is innate or nurtured. Dr Vincent posed a thought-provoking question: “Is there something internal to Mo Salah that makes him succeed at chess and football, or does chess actively enhance his adaptability?”

Allen speculated that Salah’s passion for constant improvement could be a factor. “I think for him, he’s obsessed with improving as a footballer,” he said. The hosts agreed that Salah’s unique mindset makes him more likely to draw valuable lessons from chess.

Chess and Football: Transferability or Coincidence?

The core of the conversation revolved around transferability of skills. Dr Vincent, drawing from his thesis on youth sports, noted that playing chess can make footballers more thoughtful. However, he warned that the transfer doesn’t happen automatically. “It’s in those moments of reflection that the change happens. Just having someone play chess a bunch won’t create a knock-on effect unless they transfer those ideas.”

The discussion also covered the risk of over-emphasising reflective practice. Allen highlighted how becoming overly analytical can hinder performance. “We all have that gremlin on our shoulder,” he quipped, referring to the critical inner voice.

Photo: IMAGO

Chess, Salah and Liverpool’s Quest for Glory

The podcast wrapped up with a consensus that chess could offer incremental benefits to Salah’s footballing IQ if combined with intentional reflection. This insight ties into Liverpool’s broader strategy under Arne Slot, where every marginal gain counts in their pursuit of success.

In essence, Mo Salah’s chess moves might be more than just a hobby. They could be a glimpse into the mental processes that make him one of Liverpool’s most adaptable and relentless players. As Allen O’Donoghue aptly put it, “It’s not just about playing chess; it’s about thinking ahead and applying that mindset to the pitch.”