Kathrine Frich
In Kabul, the ban has already had real consequences.
In Kabul, the ban has already had real consequences.
The Taliban government has officially banned chess in Afghanistan, declaring it a “game of chance” that violates Islamic morality.
The move adds to a growing list of cultural and recreational activities outlawed under their strict interpretation of Sharia law.
Chess Framed as a Form of Gambling
According to Atal Mashwani, spokesman for Afghanistan’s Directorate of Sports, chess is being prohibited due to its perceived association with betting.
“It is considered a means of gambling,” he told AFP, referring to provisions in the Taliban’s morality law passed last year.
Café Culture Disrupted
In Kabul, the ban has already had real consequences.
Azizullah Gulzada, who runs a café where customers once gathered daily to play chess, says the new rule has stripped his patrons of both joy and community.
“Many used to come here every day, without betting a single penny,” he lamented.
A Harsh Continuation of Cultural Repression
Since retaking control in 2021, the Taliban has systematically rolled back civil liberties.
Chess joins a long list of banned activities that includes MMA, music, video games, and public displays of mannequins.
The trend underscores the regime’s tightening grip on everyday life.
Taliban’s Growing Restrictions on Women
While chess is now banned for all, women have faced especially severe restrictions.
Female students have been banned from universities, parks, gyms, and beauty salons.
Women are also barred from managing restaurants or owning retail stores in certain provinces.
Religious Justification Under Scrutiny
Critics say the Taliban’s religious rationale doesn’t align with global Islamic norms.
“Many Muslim countries have world-class chess players,” said café owner Gulzada, questioning the idea that the game inherently contradicts Islamic values.
A Society in Isolation
The UN and human rights groups have described the Taliban’s policies as “gender apartheid” and a form of cultural suppression.
With each new ban from music to movement, from education to entertainment the regime pushes Afghanistan further into international isolation.