Taliban ban chess in Afghanistan over religious concerns and federation issues

The Taliban have officially banned the game of chess in Afghanistan, citing religious reasons and dysfunction within the national chess federation, Amu news agency reported. The move was confirmed by Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, who said the decision was based on “Sharia-related reasons” and unresolved leadership issues in the Afghan Chess Federation.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the federation has remained inactive. Its deputy chairman, Wais, stated that multiple attempts to resume operations have failed, warning that chess is now vanishing from Afghan society due to lack of institutional support.

Human rights groups and international sports bodies have criticized the Taliban’s broader policies as repressive, particularly their exclusion of women from sports, education, and most public employment. While no official decree has been published, chess players and federation members report that the ban is already being enforced across the country.