Afghanistan's Ministry of Sports suspends chess, citing religious concerns

Afghanistan 's Ministry of Sports issued a declaration stating the game's indefinite suspension, elaborating that "religious concerns" needed to be properly addressed.

This declaration came after Atal Mashwani , spokesperson for the country's sports directorate, stated last year that the game was considered gambling under Sharia law.

The Taliban have been targeting different forms of recreation, under the guise of improving morality.