US EditionTaliban suspends chess in Afghanistan, cites religious concerns over gambling
- Taliban authorities suspended chess across Afghanistan indefinitely in May 2025, citing religious concerns linked to gambling under Islamic law.
- The ban follows the Taliban's 2021 return to power and their growing imposition of strict laws reflecting their interpretation of Islamic principles.
- Officials explain that under Islamic law, chess is viewed as a form of gambling and is therefore banned in accordance with the Ministry responsible for enforcing moral conduct, which introduced relevant regulations last year.
- A sports official explained that due to leadership problems, the country's chess governing body has not organized any official competitions for approximately two years, while local players expressed regret over how this has affected their opportunities to play.
- This suspension illustrates the Taliban's broader restrictions on cultural and sporting activities, with uncertain prospects for reversal amid ongoing societal impacts.
128 Articles
128 Articles
Taliban Bans Play Chess · Global Voices
The Taliban government has banned playing chess by adding it to the list of activities not allowed by considering it as a game used for gambling. Chess “is considered a means of betting money” which is prohibited by the Virtue Propagation and Vice Prevention (PVPV) law approved last year, explained Atal Mashwani, spokesman for the Sports Directorate. As it is “religious issues”, “Chess will be suspended in Afghanistan until these issues are addr…
Chess Ban in Afghanistan: Taliban Bans Chess Over Religious Concerns, Calls It ‘Haram’
As per reports, no activities related to chess would be allowed to resume without addressing these issues. Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has also dissolved the Afghanistan Chess Federation, terming the game 'haram' (forbidden) as per the interpretation of the Islamic law, Khaama Press reported. Chess Ban in Afghanistan: Taliban Bans Chess Over Religious Concerns, Calls It ‘Haram’.
Taliban suspend chess over gambling
Taliban authorities have barred chess across Afghanistan until further notice over concerns it is a source of gambling, which is illegal under the government's morality law, a sports official said on Sunday. "Chess in sharia (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling," which is prohibited according to the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law announced last year, sports directorate spokesperson Atal Mashwani told AFP. "There are …
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