The Taliban banned chess in Afghanistan in May 2025, citing it as a form of gambling, which they claim violates their interpretation of Islamic law. The decision, announced by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also dissolved the Afghanistan Chess Federation.
This follows a pattern of restrictions since the Taliban regained power in 2021, including bans on women’s sports, education beyond primary school for girls, music, and other recreational activities deemed “un-Islamic.”
Chess had seen a revival in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s previous ban from 1996 to 2001 was lifted, with players competing internationally and grassroots events growing in urban areas. Critics, including the International Chess Federation (FIDE), argue the ban stifles intellectual growth and isolates Afghanistan, noting that chess is widely played in other Muslim-majority countries without issue.
The Taliban’s justification hinges on a questionable link to gambling, despite modern chess rarely involving betting outside informal settings. This move reflects their broader agenda to suppress cultural and intellectual pursuits, particularly those fostering critical thinking or gender equality.
