Kabul: The Taliban has officially banned the game of chess in Afghanistan, declaring it haram (forbidden) under their interpretation of Islamic law. The ban makes playing or promoting chess a punishable offense.
(An Afghan man sits alone, holding a chess piece, deep in thought. Posters hint at a past tournament, while a shadowed script on the wall adds tension and meaning.)
This move has deeply affected the Afghan chess community, including players who once represented the country on global stages. Many now live in fear, forced to stop playing a game that once brought them pride and purpose.
Women, who are already banned from schools and sports under Taliban rule, are further impacted. Chess, a game that teaches strategy, focus, and critical thinking, is now considered dangerous.
Former national players shared with us how they feel silenced and erased. For many, chess was not just a game it was a path to education, mental discipline, and international identity.
Human rights activists see the chess ban as yet another step backward for Afghanistan, especially for its youth and women.
The decision has sparked concern from global chess organizations, calling for the protection of intellectual freedom in the country.
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