Taliban ban chess in Afghanistan, considering it a game of chance

In Afghanistan, chess has officially fallen under a temporary ban. The Taliban classified this ancient strategic game as a potential gambling game, arguing that their decision was necessary to check for compliance with Sharia law. The ban was introduced back in 2021, immediately after the movement came to power, but in 2025 its status was updated and confirmed.

Afghan Sports Authority spokesman Atal Mashwani said chess needs a "Sharia assessment" because, according to the authorities, it can encourage excitement - despite the obvious strategic and educational nature of the game.

This decision hurt public life, especially in the cities. In Kabul, for example, the owners of cafes, where young people used to gather for friendly chess games, have already felt the decline in customers. According to them, the ban destroys the space where people could spend time in a safe and intelligent environment.

This is not the first sport to be banned. The Taliban have previously banned women's sports, mixed martial arts (MMA) and a number of other disciplines, deeming them "incompatible with Islamic norms" - mainly due to body display, physical contact or aggression.

Chess, once considered a symbol of intelligence and culture, is now suddenly on a par with activities accused of violence and debauchery. How long the check will last and what its conclusions will be is still unknown. But one thing is clear: the public space in Afghanistan continues to shrink.