The Taliban Banned Chess in Afghanistan: Religious Concerns and Societal Impact
The Taliban has suspended chess in Afghanistan, classifying it as a form of gambling until its compliance with Sharia law is confirmed.
Reasons for the Ban
Since August 2021, the Taliban has imposed strict restrictions on entertainment and sports. In 2025, chess was added to this list.
A representative of the Taliban’s sports authority, Atal Mashwani, explained that the game may encourage gambling, and thus requires further religious examination:
“There are religious concerns regarding chess. Until they are reviewed, chess in Afghanistan is suspended,” he told AFP.
Cafés Without Chess — Fewer Visitors
The decision has especially affected cafés in Kabul, where young people used to gather for informal tournaments. The owner of one such café, Azizullah Gulzada, noted:
“Young people currently have little to do, so they came here — to drink tea and play chess. Now the flow has sharply decreased.”
Chess Is Not the Only Ban
Chess is part of a broader Taliban campaign to restrict sports in the country. In previous years, the following were banned:
- Women’s sports — women are completely excluded from competitions;
- MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) — banned since 2021 as “too violent”;
- All forms of combat involving facial strikes — “contradict Islamic norms.”
According to a Taliban representative, such sports are deemed “incompatible with Sharia” due to violence or other religious violations.
Chess in Other Muslim Countries
The owner of the Kabul café noted that chess is actively played in other Muslim-majority countries.
Nonetheless, the Afghan authorities are maintaining a strict stance, awaiting a religious evaluation of the game.
What’s Next?
The chess ban in Afghanistan has been imposed indefinitely. Until a final religious ruling is issued, any activity related to chess will be considered potentially in violation of Sharia norms.
Table: Taliban Restrictions on Sports Since 2021
| Sport | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Chess | Suspended | Suspected gambling |
| Women’s sports | Banned | Incompatibility with Sharia |
| MMA | Banned | Too violent |
| Facial strikes (combat disciplines) | Banned | Violation of Islamic norms |
Conclusion
The decision to ban chess has raised concerns among youth and café owners. While it remains unclear whether the game will be allowed in the future, chess currently remains outlawed in Afghanistan — along with several other sports deemed religiously controversial.