The Taliban government has banned the game of chess throughout Afghanistan on the grounds that the game encourages gambling, which is banned under the strict interpretation of Islamic law. The ban was confirmed on Sunday by Atal Mashwani, a spokesman for the sports directorate of the Taliban.
“Chess, in accordance with sharia, is a game of gambling,” Mashwani informed the press. “Until the religious issues that affect the game are resolved, it will be suspended across the nation.” He added that the game is among the sports covered by the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law that was passed last year.
Mashwani further added that Afghanistan’s national chess federation failed to hold any official tournaments in the past nearly two years, partially because of internal leadership issues.
The suspension has affected local business and fans equally. Azizullah Gulzada, who owns a café in Kabul that frequently held unofficial chess sessions, said the suspension would hurt both his business and youth who were looking for recreational activities.
“There is no betting in this,” Gulzada protested. “Chess is being played in other Islamic nations at world level. It’s sad this is occurring.”
He accepted the decision would be obeyed but regretted its impact: “Lots of young people came here every day for a cup of tea and an informal game. This will be a gap in their lives.”
Since taking over power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced various restrictions on sports and public entertainment, with a focus on those activities that they deem non-Islamic. Women have been largely shut out of sport, and last year saw mixed martial arts banned as too violent and incompatible with sharia principles.
The latest action to ban chess is a further addition to mounting concerns about decreasing recreational and cultural liberty under the Taliban, particularly for Afghanistan’s youth who already have limited opportunities.
