Chess in Kandahar restores old Afghan pastime

Kandahar chess tournament restores old Afghan pastime
By Helena Merriman
BBC News

Residents of Kandahar have been taking part in a chess tournament in an attempt to revive one of the city’s former cultural pastimes.

Under the Taliban, chess was forbidden, but the city’s older residents hope this tournament will reintroduce the game to a younger generation.

The event was held at the Kandahar Coffee Shop which also hosts other cultural activities.

Kandahar is a key battleground for the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

But Rahim Akrami, a local journalist in the city who watched the tournament, says it is important for younger people to rediscover this once forbidden activity.

“The tournament re-introduced the game to Kandahar since it has been forgotten for the last eight or so years,” he told the BBC’s World Today programme.

‘Enlightening’ tournament

Aman Ullah, a member of the Kandahar Students Organisation, was one of those playing in the tournament.

Although he was knocked out in the second round, he is happy that the tournament is taking place.

“It is very important for us to have something recreational to do that enlightens the mind and is fun as well,” he told the BBC World Service.

“There are people who do not know that chess exists in this world which is amazing to me.

“Now there are people who are asking questions about the game and who want to learn, so I see it as a very positive change for Kandahar, and for the game as well.”

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