Egypt star Mohamed Salah reveals chess obsession ahead of Besiktas showdown

Trabzonspor forward Mohamed Salah has revealed his passion for chess, admitting that the game has become a daily habit as the Egyptian star prepares for Monday’s Turkish Super Lig clash against Besiktas.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Trabzonspor since joining the Turkish club, earning praise for his performances while quickly establishing himself as an important figure in the team’s attack.

However, away from the pitch, Salah has disclosed that chess is his favourite pastime, revealing that his passion for the board game has grown into an almost daily routine.

“I’m addicted to chess; it’s gotten to the point of madness. I play almost every day, and I love this game very much,” Salah said.

His interest in chess has also translated into encouraging results on the Chess.com platform, where he has reportedly reached a rating of 1,400 points, placing him ahead of more than 90 per cent of players on the platform, according to the report.

Salah’s revelation offers a glimpse into his life away from football, with the Trabzonspor forward finding time to pursue a hobby that requires patience, concentration and strategic thinking.

The Egyptian star will now turn his attention to the pitch as Trabzonspor prepare to host Besiktas on Monday evening in the eighth round of the 2026/27 Turkish Super Lig season.

The encounter is expected to attract considerable attention, particularly given Salah’s impressive recent performances and his growing influence at the club.

He helped Trabzonspor secure a 3-0 victory over Samsunspor last week before scoring a goal and providing an assist in their 4-2 win over Finnish side KuPS in the Europa League.

Monday’s fixture also carries an intriguing personal storyline, as Salah was reportedly close to joining Besiktas during the previous summer transfer window before the proposed move collapsed.

Trabzonspor subsequently completed negotiations to secure the Egyptian forward on a two-season contract, giving him the opportunity to continue his career in Turkish football.

With Salah enjoying a strong start to his Trabzonspor career, the former Liverpool star will be eager to maintain his form against the club he was reportedly close to joining.

For now, chess remains his favourite escape away from football, but the spotlight will return to the pitch on Monday as Trabzonspor prepare for a crucial encounter against Besiktas.