The Taliban has banned a lot of things ... but chess?
NPRTuesday, June 17, 2025 at 11:30:32 AM
The Taliban has added chess to its growing list of banned activities, according to a former chess coach who claims a member of the regime’s vice squad explicitly prohibited playing, buying, or even watching the game. The move raises eyebrows—even for a group known for strict prohibitions—because chess isn’t typically seen as morally or culturally contentious. The article digs into why the Taliban might view the centuries-old strategy game as a threat.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about chess—it’s another example of the Taliban’s relentless control over daily life in Afghanistan. Banning a game as universally accepted as chess underscores how far the regime will go to suppress anything it deems "un-Islamic" or a distraction from its ideology. For Afghans, it’s one more small freedom erased, and for the world, it’s a reminder of the Taliban’s tightening grip.
— Curated via WP Now’s
