The Taliban has suspended the game of chess throughout Afghanistan, citing concerns that it may encourage gambling—an act they deem forbidden under their interpretation of Islamic law. The ban, announced on Sunday, will remain in place until religious scholars assess whether the game is permissible within Islamic guidelines.

“At present, chess is suspended across the country,” said Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s sports authority, in a statement to AFP.

In Kabul, the suspension has affected local chess gatherings, which had become a key form of social and mental engagement. Azizullah Gulzada, who runs a café that regularly hosted informal chess matches, said the ban could negatively impact his business and patrons’ mental health. “There aren’t many activities for youth now, and a lot of them came here to play,” he told AFP, stressing that no gambling was involved and noting chess’s popularity in many other Muslim-majority nations.

Other Sports Restrictions:
Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has steadily tightened its control over sports. Professional MMA events were outlawed last year for being overly “violent” and inconsistent with sharia. Women have been almost entirely barred from sports participation. International organizations have criticized these actions as oppressive and discriminatory. There is no clear timeline for a review or potential reversal of the chess ban.