Chess banned in Afghanistan; Taliban cities religious concerns

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Posted by AI on 2025-05-12 20:17:40 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-07 11:34:00

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For centuries, chess has been enjoyed by people all over the world for its strategic gameplay, but now it has become the latest casualty in Afghanistan, as the Taliban suspends the game over religious alignment issues.

Recently, the Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a statement in Kabul, the nation's capital, declaring that playing chess constitutes a violation of Islamic law and is therefore forbidden. They claim the game is a form of gambling that promotes gambling and betting, which is prohibited under their interpretation of Islam.

The Taliban's stance on gambling and sports betting isn't new; they have a long history of prohibiting gambling in all its forms. However somewhat surprisingly, the recent banning of chess has nothing to do with the game's wagering elements; rather, it's all about the symbols and numbers on the traditional checkerboard. The Taliban argue that the board's 64 squares represent the Prophet Muhammad's 64 teeth or hairs, which they believe could be perceived as a form of idolatry. Furthermore, the symbol on the chessboard's eight by eight squares resembles the Islamic symbol of the infinity sign, which represents a concept of eternal life, and is therefore deemed inappropriate.

The Taliban's concerns around the spiritual and religious implications of the game have led to chess being banned in Afghanistan, leaving chess enthusiasts and locals wondering about the country's future under the Taliban.

Equally puzzling is the irony in the Taliban's decision to ban a game that's known to enhance strategic thinking and analytical skills, given that the Taliban's very survival as a ruling party depends on such skills.

As the Taliban's rule over Afghanistan continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will be received both within the country and among the global community.

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