In brief
The Taliban has prohibited chess, citing gambling worries, further tightening restrictions on sports in Afghanistan, especially for women.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has taken the drastic step of banning chess indefinitely, fearing that the beloved game might encourage gambling. Officials claim that the game’s compatibility with Islamic law is under scrutiny, spurring this controversial decision. Chess is the latest addition to a growing list of athletic pursuits limited by the Taliban. Since their return to power in August 2021, the ruling group has systematically enforced regulations aligned with a strict interpretation of Islamic law. On Sunday, Atal Mashwani, the spokesperson for the Taliban's sports directorate, communicated to AFP that chess is regarded as “a means of gambling” under Islamic sharia law. He stated that until religious considerations are fully reviewed, the game will remain suspended in Afghanistan.Azizullah Gulzada, a cafe owner in Kabul who has hosted numerous informal chess matches, expressed disappointment over the ban, noting it would negatively impact his business. "Young people don't have many activities these days, and they enjoyed coming here to play chess," he lamented. Interestingly, chess continues to be played in other Islamic countries, raising questions about the Taliban's rigid approach. This is not the first sport to face restrictions; in the past, mixed martial arts (MMA) was banned due to its perceived violence and conflicts with Islamic teachings. As Afghan society grapples with these stringent laws, the future of sports and cultural activities remains uncertain under the current regime.
