The Taliban's ban on playing chess in public was reported in May by local and international media, but it appeared that it had begun long before, implemented in stops and starts.

The Taliban suspended chess — during its first iteration of rule, and now, because it's "a means of gambling," the sports minister Atal Mashwani told the French news service, AFP.

The Taliban suspended chess — during its first iteration of rule, and now, because it's "a means of gambling," the sports minister Atal Mashwani told the French news service, AFP.

The Taliban suspended chess — during its first iteration of rule, and now, because it's "a means of gambling," the sports minister Atal Mashwani told the French news service, AFP.