Overview

• The Taliban government has officially banned chess in Afghanistan, classifying it as a gambling activity under the PVPV law enacted in 2024.
• Officials claim chess involves 'religious stakes' and will remain suspended until these issues are addressed, though sanctions for violations are unspecified.
• This decision follows a pattern of prohibitions targeting activities deemed contrary to Sharia, including the 2024 ban on MMA for being 'too violent.'
• Local café owners, such as Azizullah Gulzada in Kabul, report compliance with the ban but question its religious justification, noting chess was often played without betting money.
• The ban further restricts recreational spaces in Afghanistan, intensifying the societal impact of the Taliban's ultra-conservative policies since their return to power in 2021.