Allergic to Chess Players?

One good turn deserves another. A friend of many years, Alan Lasser -- also of 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8 (Weissman's Defense) and 1.d4 d5 2.Qd3 (the Bad Opening) fame -- gave this blog a mention in the latest issue of his 'Game of the Week' Connecticut newsletter.

Another recent issue pictured the garment shown on the left ('I am allergic to chess players') and wondered,

I have noticed that this T-shirt is available at some retail online outlets. Could it be a natural reaction to some of those really awful shirts being sold by the USCF?

In a personal email Alan asked me, 'Who or what is responsible? What is the story behind it?' I would add to that, 'Who would wear such a thing?', and admit cluelessness. Does anybody know? And what are those 'really awful shirts being sold by the USCF'?

More editions of Alan's newsletter can be found on the web using the appropriate search tools and keywords.