The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned chess indefinitely, due to gambling concerns.
The tactical, strategic board game has been banned until further notice, while officials determine its compatibility with Islamic law.
In particular, gambling is outlawed under the country’s morality law, one of many regulations that were introduced when the Taliban secured power in 2021.
The ultra-conservative regime and its interpretation of Islamic law are also particularly harsh on women, with a recent order banning windows in residential buildings to stop women from being seen while at home in Afghanistan.
Females are also banned from public spaces, education, and the workplace under the Taliban.
“Chess in syariah (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling”, spokesman Atal Mashwani told AFP press agency.
“There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess (and) untntil these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan,” he added.
Mashwani also confirmed the national chess federation had not held any official events over the last two years with “some issues on the leadership level.”
Afghanistan's Taliban has banned chess, citing concerns over gambling and its incompatibility with their interpretation of Islamic law. pic.twitter.com/wHieWLxF0O
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Chess is played in other majority Muslim nations
Just like women have been heavily impacted by punitive changes made to normal life in Afghanistan, it is ordinary people who will be impacted by the chess ban.
AFP spoke to Azizullah Gulzada, who owns a cafe in Kabul, the capital city.
His venue previously hosted informal chess gatherings over the years, but he denied any form of gambling had taken place.
Gulzada also noted that chess is routinely played in other Muslim nations.
“Many other Islamic countries have players on an international level,” he told AFP, adding that the government intervention would likely hurt his business, as well as impacting chess enthusiasts.
Last year, the government also banned mixed martial arts (MMA), outlining that the combat sport was not compliant with Sharia (Islamic) law, that it was too violent and contradictory to the teachings of Islam.
Image credit: Grok/X
