English Chess Forum

Gambling the perceived issue once again.


https://bbc.com/news/articles/crk24dz8ne5o

Strangely enough, most Muslim countries think chess is perfectly compatible with their religion.

Yes thats right. As we know, chess does not involve gambling in the game itself as such but people do play for money still.

I love the massive hypocrisy further down that article about them also banning combat sports because it promoted violence... I guess that seizing a country by force, rolling back every attempt it made towards being progressive and brutally enforcing their new laws is all good but nobody dare not watch any fighting in a safe controlled environment - that's just crossing a line.

I doubt whether the taliban are the most educated bunch on the planet.

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Mon May 12, 2025 12:30 am

I doubt whether the taliban are the most educated bunch on the planet.

I imagine they know the koran pretty well, at least all the verses that justify their way of life. I imagine the parts about being charitable and benevolent somewhat less so.

Agreed.

I'm no scholar of sacred texts, but I get the distinct impression that the Holy Q'ran is much like the Bible in that it's full of internal contradictions which mean you can always find something in it which can be used to justify whatever position you've taken up on any issue.

Well yes but religions are peaceful in nature, it's their misappropriation that's the problem and followers acting out of self-interest but using texts to justify it and anything else they can.

More details:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... ans-chess/

Includes:

“The federation has not functioned effectively for the past two years,” the official said. “The issue lies both with religious objections and leadership problems.”

“The president of the federation fled abroad years ago but still interferes, which has caused chaos for players on the ground.”

“The tussle between the Taliban and international chess bodies has left Afghan players caught in the middle,” he said.