Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan Over Gambling Concerns

The Taliban has decided to prohibit chess in Afghanistan, citing concerns that the game is associated with gambling. Alongside this ban, the Afghanistan National Chess Federation has also been suspended until further notice. The restriction will remain in place until chess is assessed for compatibility with Islamic law.

This move was announced by the ministry responsible for promoting virtue and preventing vice. It reflects a broader perspective on how the game is perceived within the context of Islamic values.

“Chess has been considered a vehicle for gambling, which goes against our values,” explained Atar Mashwani, a spokesperson for the Sports Bureau. He emphasized that religious concerns underpin this decision.

In response to the ban, Kirsan Ilimzhninov, former president of the International Chess Federation, indicated he is planning to send an appeal to Taliban leaders, urging them to reconsider their stance on chess. He shared this intention on social media, expressing his hope for a reversal of the decision.

This isn’t the first time chess has faced a ban in Afghanistan. A similar prohibition was enacted when the Taliban first took power in the 1990s, though the game later re-emerged after a change in government in 2001.

In recent times, the Taliban has been tightening restrictions on civil liberties, including banning women from higher education and excluding them from public parks. This chess ban adds to an ongoing series of measures limiting personal freedoms since the group’s return to power in August 2021.