The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned people from playing chess, a popular board game, over fears that the game could be a source of gambling.
The ban came to light due to the Taliban’s view that the game promotes gambling, which is banned under Islamic law. Chess is the latest sport to be restricted by the Taliban, who have already banned women from participating in any form of sport after seizing power in August 2021.
Atal Mashwani, the spokesman for the Taliban government's sports directorate, gave a speech on Sunday, stating that chess in Islamic Sharia law is "considered a means of gambling." He added, "There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess,” and “until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan.”
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