http://www.chess.com/members/view/erik

Has anyone else wondered about it? I mean, I've been looking at this doodad for a couple of months now, and I still can't figure out what the heck it is. I'll admit I'm not the trendiest guy on the planet, so maybe it's some chic new Nairobi tribal headgear or an ancient Mayan headdress or something.

But I think it makes him look like a pawn.

To me it sort of looks like he's wearing a beanie over a baseball cap or something. Or just a beanie where the bottoms been a bit butchered or has a short visor. I don't think it looks like a shower cap.

 Agreed.

I am not one usually to criticize others' looks...

Erik is handsome enough to pull it off though. Lets face it: he's a good looking, charismatic, intelligent dude... who's an old fart with a receding hairline

Cool accesory!  We all strive for our own individuality!  Freedom in fashion!  And in chess and life!  All the best! 

When I first saw it I assumed he was humorously playing to the site's demographics. Yo wazzup nerds 'n nerdettes!

1. It's his thinking cap.

2. He uses it to block out complaints from users.

3. He really lives in the Arctic and has to wear it constantly or freeze to death.

i need a new picture - i know :)

Ill be seeing Erk in Reno this week...ill ask him and get the real story.  Now if he is an alien and i dont return....RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then again if he does one of those Jedi mind tricks and or some Vulcan mind meld thing i wont even know i met him and wont be able to let anyone else know.

 wow..

 its a hat...

 I think its sick.. but obviously your from the 60s

 That style of hat is from the 40's so obviously being from the 60's helps.

That picture was taken before Erik arrived to Earth, where is warmer than his planet.

OK, is that "sick" good or "sick" bad? (you're right, I am from the 60s).

Tonydal, that hat remind me of BJ and Hawkeye of M*A*S*H 4077th, when they come out of their surgrey and they are still wearing their hats similar to erik ?

Yeah, I was thinking that too! (like one of those ER things).

All staff members wear some kind of headgear as part of their uniform.  Jay gets a black headband with a miner's light on the front, so he can debug the site even during a blackout.  Baseballfan wears the Roman Colisseum on his head.  Kohai has recently been promoted to wearing an hourglass.  And the head honcho gets to wear a shower cap as a sign of his great power and influence.

But it is sort of like the emperor with no clothes.  You aren't supposed to talk about it.

Thank you, Karl. Yes, things have gotten rather sepulchral of late...and just remember to be alert (the world needs more lerts). :)