Taliban Government Pauses Chess Amid Gambling Concerns

The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has announced an indefinite suspension of chess, citing concerns that the game could promote gambling, which is strictly forbidden under Islamic law.

“The Sport of Chess Is Suspended in Afghanistan”

On Sunday, Atal Mashwani, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, confirmed the decision. 

“Chess in syariah (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling,” Mashwani told AFP. 

“Until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan.”

This is just the latest restriction to be added to a growing list of sports under scrutiny since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. 

Among the most impacted are women, who are barred entirely from athletic participation, and sports such as mixed martial arts, which were prohibited last year for being “too violent.”

Though the ban has not been described as permanent, it includes the suspension of the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF), which authorities say has been inactive for two years. 

The Taliban officials say that the federation is also dealing with a series of internal problems, including leadership disagreements and questions raised by management and legitimacy.

Local Communities, Affected by the Decision

While officials insist the move is rooted in religious concerns, it has immediate implications for local communities. 

Azizullah Gulzada, a Kabul cafe owner who has hosted chess games at his establishment for years, said the suspension will affect his regular customers. 

“Young people don’t have a lot of activities these days, so many came here every day,” he said. “They would have a cup of tea and challenge their friends to a game of chess.”

Gulzada, who respects the government’s decision, was quick to note that chess is played widely across other Muslim-majority nations without issue. “Many other Islamic countries have players on an international level,” he said.

Not a Permanent Ban

Chess journalist Ian Rogers shared comments on X from an ANCF official, clarifying that this was a suspension and not an outright ban. 

“Unlike sports like MMA, which were completely banned, chess has not been outlawed but placed under temporary suspension while religious and administrative reviews are ongoing,” the official explained.

Chess has had a turbulent history in Afghanistan. It was banned during the Taliban’s first regime in the late 1990s but later regained popularity after their fall in 2001. 

The Afghan team managed to secure a notable win in the D Category of the 2018 Batumi Olympiad. Now, with the future of chess once again uncertain, players and enthusiasts are left waiting.

In the meantime, one of the biggest names in the history of modern chess, Magnus Carlsen, urged chess tournament organizers to embrace faster-paced formats as a means of increasing interest in betting on matches.