The Taliban government has announced an indefinite suspension of chess in Afghanistan, citing concerns over its perceived link to gambling under Islamic Sharia law. Atal Mashwani, spokesman for the Taliban’s sports directorate, stated that religious considerations prompted the decision, and the ban would remain in place until those issues are resolved.
This latest restriction follows a series of similar bans on recreational activities since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Local businesses like cafés that hosted informal chess competitions are expected to suffer economically, with many young Afghans losing one of their few leisure activities. Kabul café owner Azizullah Gulzada expressed disappointment, noting that chess remained popular in other Muslim-majority countries without similar bans.
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The Taliban has previously banned sports like mixed martial arts, citing incompatibility with Islamic values. Critics argue these increasing restrictions are isolating Afghanistan and limiting the cultural and social outlets available to its citizens.
It remains uncertain whether the Taliban will revisit or relax these bans in the future as pressure builds from frustrated youth and affected business owners.
