Unexpected Prohibition: Chess Under the Taliban Regime

At Kabul's premium chess venue, boards lie unused as Afghan authorities have imposed strict measures banning chess games nationwide.

A surprising encounter with officials from the Taliban's austerity squad left a former chess mentor acutely aware of the new rules against playing chess. In Herat's public park, his recreational activity with friends was abruptly interrupted, resulting in seized equipment and physical reprimands. According to him, the vice squad justified these actions under morality laws by declaring all aspects of chess, including its observation, prohibited.

In a phone call, Hassanzadeh expressed his disappointment: "This innocent pastime was taken from us."

Despite media reports in May spotlighting the chess ban, Hassanzadeh indicates that such restrictions have been sporadically enforced before firm implementation. Following the Taliban's ascension in August 2021, local chess events were halted, yet informal park gatherings continued until further prevented.

Hassanzadeh recounts interference with his shipments of chess materials, presaging the decree that formally halted all organizational activities of the national chess body. A female chess enthusiast shared that women faced even earlier exclusion from playing in community settings, coinciding with the Taliban's power resurgence.

Choosing to speak anonymously, she revealed her chess journey that began in childhood under her father’s guidance and went on to lead chess classes for females, a practice once applauded by her community. Now, she narrates a reality of homebound practice that's immersed in frustration over lost public engagement.

Although not as popular as cricket or Buzkashi, Afghanistan's traditional game, chess has a historical presence, disrupted first by the Taliban in 1996 — a trend resumed with the group's recent rule.

The Gambling Controversy

The Taliban's reasoning links chess to gambling, though this baffled enthusiasts who highlight the sport’s non-wagering nature, even in casual settings.

Efforts to lift the ban continue, inspired by other Muslim-majority nations supporting chess. Such historic scruples trace back to early Islam, where perception equated chess to gambling, a view that evolved over centuries to recognize chess as strategic rather than sinful.

Historically, Islam's iconic scholars had differing views on chess, with figures like al-Shafi'i advocating for its educational value, under conditions that it not impede religious duties or involve gambling.

Following revolutions or regime changes, similar chess prohibitions have arisen, such as in post-revolution Iran. Though later relaxed, Iran remains a pivotal player in regional chess, not without its controversies.

Exiled players and arbiters, ostracized for seemingly minor transgressions like dress code violations, echo experiences of Afghan players under current decrees.

Nazi Paikidze, reflecting on the role of chess under autocratic regimes, suggests such bans reflect broader desires to suppress critical thought. Her message to Afghan players? Hope for opportunities abroad where chess appreciation thrives.

For Hassanzadeh, whose affinity for chess is deep-rooted, the idea of permanent separation from the game is a personal loss, one he dreams could be remedied through eventual emigration.