user18171: I've recently heard and then actually started to notice more and more that professional chess players tend to use a middle finger when pointing at pieces on the board like in this Anand vs Caruana game during the Sinquefield Cup 2017:

(source)
I am wondering, why is it happening?
Note: this is a genuine question, I am not trying to offend or make fun of anything or anyone here.

user25622: I am no psychologist or a great chess player, but I do use common sense. When I move/remove chess pieces I use thumb and middle finger to do so as I few like the middle finger being the longest I believe it lessens the probability of accidentally knocking other pieces down...
With that finger being used in the game my brain makes it a primary pointer automatically...

user20914: I think it very simple: if you point to something which is under your hand, it is much more convenient to use your middle finger. It seems a bit awkward, but more "natural" to your hand.

user18211: Garry Kasparov has already answered this question. Unfortunately, it is a video and there is no text version.
You can find it on his official site: http://www.kasparov.com/garry-kasparov-answers-chess-questions-from-twitter-jan-16th-2018/
In the video, essentially, Kasparov said that he hasn't noticed it.

user12873: When they're analyzing at a rapid pace, they tend to only need the thumb and index finger to pick up pieces and move them. Using the middle finger as well doesn't really help. So since that finger is freed up, they can use it to point (especially because pointing with the 4th finger or pinkie is awkward).
Or they subconsciously despise each other.

18171: <p>I've recently heard and then actually started to notice more and more that professional chess players tend to use a middle finger when pointing at pieces on the board like in this Anand vs Caruana game during the Sinquefield Cup 2017:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/CADLS.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/CADLS.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a>
(<a href="https://twitter.com/LennartOotes/status/894341233958670336" rel="noreferrer">source</a>)</p>

<p>I am wondering, why is it happening?</p>

<p><sub>Note: this is a genuine question, I am not trying to offend or make fun of anything or anyone here.</sub></p>
 25622: <p>I am no psychologist or a great chess player, but I do use common sense. When I move/remove chess pieces I use thumb and middle finger to do so as I few like the middle finger being the longest I believe it lessens the probability of accidentally knocking other pieces down...
With that finger being used in the game my brain makes it a primary pointer automatically...</p>
 20914: <p>I think it very simple: if you point to something which is under your hand, it is much more convenient to use your middle finger. It seems a bit awkward, but more "natural" to your hand.</p>
 18211: <p>Garry Kasparov has already answered this question. Unfortunately, it is a video and there is no text version.</p>
<p>You can find it on his official site: <a href="http://www.kasparov.com/garry-kasparov-answers-chess-questions-from-twitter-jan-16th-2018/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.kasparov.com/garry-kasparov-answers-chess-questions-from-twitter-jan-16th-2018/</a></p>
<p>In the video, essentially, Kasparov said that he hasn't noticed it.</p>
 12873: <p>When they're analyzing at a rapid pace, they tend to only need the thumb and index finger to pick up pieces and move them. Using the middle finger as well doesn't really help. So since that finger is freed up, they can use it to point (especially because pointing with the 4th finger or pinkie is awkward).</p>

<p>Or they subconsciously despise each other.</p>
