Islamic Interpretation
In Islamic dream interpretation, according to the great scholars of ta’bīr such as Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, Ibn Shaheen and Al-Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on them all), seeing or playing the game of chess (in Arabic: shatranj الشطرنج) in a dream is one of the most profound and multi-layered symbols related to worldly struggles, politics, strategy, power, deception, and the affairs of nations and individuals. Chess in a dream almost always reflects mixing with all kinds of people from different levels of society, because the chessboard contains kings, queens, knights, soldiers and pawns moving together in one arena. Thus the dream indicates involvement in complex social, professional or political environments where alliances are formed and broken. The primary meaning of playing chess in a dream is engagement in cunning plans, strategies, and maneuvers that mirror real-life political, military or business conflicts. Every move one makes on the chessboard in the dream corresponds directly to steps and decisions that will be taken in the political or worldly arena. The dream therefore serves as both a reflection of current power struggles and a warning or guidance about future outcomes. Seeing a chessboard with no one playing it signifies a major crisis, a strike, dismissal of employees, suspension of work, or a period of tense calm before a storm in public affairs of state or a workplace. When people are seen actively playing chess in the dream, those players represent leaders, statesmen, commanders, high officials or influential figures who are currently plotting, negotiating or competing for power. Winning a chess game in the dream is an extremely glad tiding: it means the dreamer will be victorious in a real political, military, legal or business struggle. Victory on the board translates directly into victory in wakefulness, including gaining authority, wealth, booty, uncovering hidden matters, or overcoming dangerous opponents. Conversely, losing the game or being checkmated warns of defeat, humiliation, financial loss, exposure of secrets, or falling into a trap, or failure of one’s plans. (Also see Backgammon, Chessboard, Chessmen)