Afghanistan’s Taliban government has implemented an indefinite suspension of chess, citing religious concerns about the game’s potential connection to gambling. The announcement came Monday through Atal Mashwani, spokesman for the Taliban’s sports directorate, who told AFP news agency that the game would remain prohibited until its compatibility with Islamic law could be properly evaluated.
The decision marks another restrictive measure by the Taliban regime since it regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. While Mashwani stated that chess is “considered a means of gambling” under Islamic sharia law, no detailed explanation was provided regarding this interpretation.
The ban has raised concerns among local communities, particularly as chess had emerged as one of the few constructive recreational activities available to Afghan youth. Cafe owners have expressed disappointment, noting that the game provided a positive outlet for young people in a country facing severe economic challenges and limited entertainment options.
This isn’t the first time chess has faced prohibition under Taliban rule. Following their initial rise to power in 1996, the Taliban had previously banned the game, only for it to resurface and gain popularity after the 2001 regime change. During this period of freedom, Afghanistan’s chess players achieved notable success, including winning the D Category at the 2018 Batumi Olympiad with a team comprising CM Khaiber Farazi, CM Habibullah Amini, Wais Abdul Khaliq, Ashrafi Sulaiman Ahmad, and Safy Kanz Ahmad.
The current ban stands in stark contrast to the approach taken by other Islamic nations throughout the Middle East, where chess is widely accepted and players regularly participate in international competitions. This decision further isolates the Taliban government, potentially complicating efforts to lift international sanctions against the country.
The restriction represents a continuing shift away from Afghanistan’s more liberal past. In the 1970s, the country maintained a relatively cosmopolitan atmosphere, particularly in urban areas, where women commonly wore European-style clothing and traditional Islamic dress was less prevalent. This cultural landscape underwent dramatic changes following the CIA’s Operation Cyclone, which provided arms, training, and equipment to Afghan and Arab mujahideen fighters. These groups later evolved into the Taliban and associated militant organizations.
Just days before the ban was announced, local activists had approached the government seeking funding to develop chess programs in the country, according to Khaama Press. The timing of the prohibition has effectively ended these development efforts.
The chess ban joins a growing list of restrictions on sports and intellectual pursuits deemed “unIslamic” by Taliban authorities. These limitations, combined with the country’s ongoing economic
difficulties, have significantly reduced recreational and social opportunities for Afghan citizens.
The move has been met with criticism from international observers who view it as another example of the Taliban’s extreme interpretation of Islamic law, setting them apart as one of the world’s most restrictive governments. As Afghanistan continues to grapple with economic hardship and isolation from the international community, the chess ban symbolizes the regime’s commitment to implementing strict religious controls, regardless of potential diplomatic consequences.