Chess in a dream: meaning in Ibn Sirin, al-Nabulsi and Ibn Shahin

40 passages from 4 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream it indicates mixing with a medley of people, and for the king it is a great town, joys and delights.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

Playing chess, backgammon, dice and nuts is guile, deception and quarrelling.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

(And whoever sees) that he is playing chess, then he has a lowly enemy.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

Chess pieces set up but not played with are dismissed men.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

And those set up and played with are men who are governors.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

If he advances or draws back its pieces, then war or dispute will appear for the governor of that place.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

As for chess, it is among the vanities of this world and its delusions.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 195

Whoever sees that he has defeated his opponent at it, then he will triumph in the falsehood that he practises and pursues.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 195

Whoever sees that he has defeated his opponent, and there was a dispute between him and that person, then he will see victory in his affair: the victor is victorious and the defeated is defeated. And perhaps the vision of the victor indicates his triumph in a false matter that has no basis.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 195

Ibn Sirin said: chess is slander and false speech.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 195

Al-Kirmani said: whoever sees that before him is a chess set arranged in rows, then it is interpreted as honour and might.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 195

Whoever sees that he is playing chess, then he will quarrel with someone. And it is said: it indicates a matter in which there is no good and no benefit.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 195

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

Chess is a falsehood of speech and a lie which he is sought after for; and likewise backgammon and playing with knucklebones.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 759–762

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO dream that you play at Chesse, is gain by lying, and deceit,

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Third Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

to see another play, is, that he shall sustain losse by craftinesse.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Third Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

Kinds and conditions of Chess

playing chess and backgammon

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

Playing chess, backgammon, knucklebones and walnuts is reprehensible, and [signifies] dispute. We have said that playing with anything is reprehensible because of His saying, exalted be He: "Or did the people of the towns feel secure that Our punishment would not come upon them in broad daylight while they were at play?"

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 242–245

And whoever sees that he is playing with it, then he has a religious enemy.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 242–245

chess rook

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

Seeing it in a dream indicates uprightness in affairs.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 134

And perhaps it indicates concealment, sudden death, and truthfulness in speech.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 134

pawn (chess piece)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

Seeing it in a dream indicates the shifting of circumstances from a beginning to a good end.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 32

chess king (shah)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

Seeing it in a dream indicates the king.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 200

19 more passages on this symbol are in the database and used by the interpreter.