Chess banned in Afghanistan by Taliban government

The Taliban government has banned chess in Afghanistan, citing concerns that the game is associated with gambling and may conflict with Islamic law. The suspension, announced by the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, includes the dissolution of the national chess federation. While some officials claim the ban is temporary, the decision aligns with broader efforts to curtail recreational and cultural activities under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of sharia law. | Photo: Xinhua / Mohammad Jan Aria