June 18, 2025
The Taliban have officially banned chess in Afghani stan, citing concerns that the game is associated with gambling and may be inconsistent with Islamic law.
Atal Mashwani, spokesman for the Taliban’s sports director, said chess is “considered a means of gambling” under Sharia law. The prohibition will remain in effect while a religious review is conducted to assess the game’s compatibility with Islamic principles, Mashwani said.
school and now no one can play chess.
The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prohibition of Vice has taken further steps by dissolving the Afghanistan Chess Federation, effectively halting all chess-related activities. The Ministry labeled the game “haram” (forbidden), reflecting its strict interpretation of religious doctrine. According to Khaama Press, the Ministry argued that chess contravenes Islamic law, aligning the ban with broader efforts to limit activities perceived as more ally or religiously objectionable.
As has become manifest in recent years, almost any human activity can be subject to gambling. In the United States, platforms like Polymarket allow users to bet on various outcomes, including elections, political events and policy decisions. In Afghanistan, one might want to bet on whether some public figure arrested by the authorities will be hanged or on whether one’s next child will be male or female. The boundaries of gambling are thus limitless.
Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed increasingly stringent restrictions on cultural and recreational pursuits, including music, cinema and certain sports. In 2024, the authorities banned mixed martial arts (MMA), claiming it was excessively violent and inconsistent with Sharia law. The state has also halted all education for women beyond elementary school.
The ban on chess is part of a broader strategy by the Taliban to enforce its austere interpretation of Islamic law across Afghan society. Critics argue that such measures undermine intellectual and cultural activities and isolate the country from the international community. Human rights organizations warn that the policy could further restrict personal freedoms and discourage social interaction, particularly among young people.
It remains unclear whether international pressure or local advocacy might prompt a reassessment of the decision. For now, the future of chess—like other recreational activities in Afghani stan—is in limbo, with no indication of when, or if, the ban might be lifted.
The Islamic Republic in Tehran has not reacted to the news from Kabul. The revolutionary regime in Iran long ago made Sharia law the foundation of its rule but is generally uncomfortable with many of the stricter interpretations pursued in Kabul. However, Tehran has avoided any debate with the Taliban over the boundaries of Sharia law.