Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan, Citing Gambling Concerns
The Taliban has officially banned the game of chess in Afghanistan, declaring it a form of gambling under Islamic law, despite the game’s historical ties to Islamic culture.
“According to sharia, chess is considered a form of gambling,” said Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban Sports Directorate, in a statement released Sunday. Mashwani explained the decision reflects the Taliban’s efforts to enforce the 2024 Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law, which prohibits all forms of gambling.
The ban highlights the group’s strict interpretation of Islamic law since their return to power in 2021. “There are religious concerns surrounding the game of chess,” Mashwani added.
A Controversial Decision
Chess, with its roots dating back more than 1,500 years to India, has long been enjoyed in Muslim-majority countries and played globally. In Afghanistan, it has served as a rare form of social recreation for many, often played in cafés as a peaceful pastime.
Mashwani noted that the national chess federation has not organized any tournaments in the past two years and has faced leadership challenges. Until religious considerations are resolved, he said, “the sport of chess is suspended.”
This decision has been met with disappointment by some Afghans. Azizullah Gulzada, owner of a Kabul café where chess games were regularly played, expressed his concern. He pointed out that chess is embraced in many Muslim-majority nations, some of which compete internationally.
While Gulzada pledged to comply with the ban, he emphasized that chess was never associated with gambling at his establishment. “People would simply come in, enjoy tea, and play a friendly game,” he said. “Young people don’t have many outlets these days, and this was a daily escape for many.”
A Historic Irony
The ban appears to contradict the cultural history of chess itself. The game was created in ancient India with pieces modeled after military units, such as infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, a general, and a king. As the game spread into the Islamic world, it was adopted and even promoted within many Muslim societies. Over time, it evolved and made its way into Europe, where figures like queens and knights replaced earlier representations.
The Taliban’s move marks a significant departure from centuries of chess being a respected and widely practiced activity across the Islamic world.
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- Source: SCCGManagement.com