The Taliban government in Afghanistan has suspended chess indefinitely, citing concerns that the ancient game promotes gambling. This decision marks the latest in a series of sports restrictions imposed since the group regained power in August 2021.
According to Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s sports directorate, Islamic scholars are reviewing whether chess complies with Sharia law. “Chess is considered a means of gambling in Islamic law”, Mashwani told AFP. “The sport remains suspended until religious authorities determine its permissibility”.
The ban has disappointed many Afghans who enjoyed chess as one of their few remaining leisure activities. Azizullah Gulzada, a Kabul café owner who hosted regular chess matches, lamented the decision’s impact. “Young people with limited entertainment options would gather here daily to play chess over tea,” he said. “This will hurt our business.”
Chess joins a growing list of prohibited sports under Taliban rule. Last year, the government banned mixed martial arts (MMA), declaring the combat sport too violent and incompatible with Islamic principles. The 2021 prohibition on “face-punching” effectively outlawed professional MMA competitions.
The Chess suspension has sparked debate, particularly as the game remains popular in other Muslim-majority nations. While the Taliban enforces its strict interpretation of Islamic law, many Afghans view chess as an intellectual pursuit rather than a gambling activity.
This latest restriction continues the Taliban’s pattern of imposing austere policies that reshape Afghanistan’s social and cultural landscape. As authorities evaluate chess’s religious compliance, the future of this centuries-old game in Afghanistan remains uncertain.
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