Chess gets banned over gambling concerns

KABUL: Many Afghan chess fans are disappointed by the Taliban government’s announcement that chess will be banned indefinitely due to possible gambling connections.

The group’s overarching goal of enforcing laws that adhere to a rigorous interpretation of Islamic law is consistent with the suspension.

The Taliban’s sports directorate spokesperson, Atal Mashwani, clarified on Sunday that chess is considered gambling under Islamic Sharia law.

“There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess,” Mashwani told AFP, adding that until these issues are resolved, the game will continue to be banned.

Chess’s suspension is a part of a larger pattern of Taliban-imposed bans on different sports in Afghanistan. Women have been mainly barred from playing sports since the group’s comeback to power in August 2021, and many other leisure pursuits have been outlawed or severely restricted.

The most recent ban is also affecting nearby companies. The owner of a café in Kabul named Azizullah Gulzada, who has been holding unofficial chess tournaments for many years, said he was disappointed by the prohibition.

According to Gulzada, “young people don’t have a lot of activities these days, so many come here every day.” “They would challenge their friends to a game of chess while sipping tea.

Earlier, Mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions were outlawed last year due to the sport’s violent nature and incompatibility with Islamic principles.

At that time, a Taliban spokesperson stated, “It was found that the sport is problematic to Sharia and has many aspects which are contradictory to the teachings of Islam.”

The Taliban’s larger goal of transforming Afghan society under their interpretation of Islamic law includes the prohibition of sports and other cultural pursuits.

Opponents contend that these measures are limiting Afghanistan’s cultural and social advancement and further isolating the country. It’s still unclear as things develop whether or when chess and other once-enjoyed sports will be permitted to reappear in Afghan culture.