http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/21/chess-forbidden-in-islam-rules-saudi-arabia-grand-mufti

Chess forbidden in Islam, rules Saudi mufti, but issue not black and white.

Game likely to take on status of minor vices such as music after Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh says it encourages gamblingSaudi Arabia’s grand mufti has ruled that chess is forbidden in Islam, saying it encourages gambling and is a waste of time.Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh was answering a question on a television show in which he issues fatwas in response to viewers’ queries on everyday religious matters.He said chess was “included under gambling” and was “a waste of time and money and a cause for hatred and enmity between players”.Al-Sheikh justified the ruling by referring to the verse in the Qur’an banning “intoxicants, gambling, idolatry and divination”. It is not clear when the fatwa was delivered. 

And I really wonder what do you think about of this topic?

why not play chess in islam? it's not respecting chess.

It's their loss. If that's a phrase that's too "English", then if they don't want to enjoy chess then they are missing something that is a great joy to many. However, many religions seek to rid themselves of things that make people happy. When there's nothing left to be happy about, what do the people do next? Something to think about.

My own understanding was that there are certain Hadith where Islams prophet specifically mentions chess in condemnatory tones. I remember reading in a book that it was considered idolatrous perhaps because of the figurines, whether this is true I cannot say. I suspect that it will have little bearing outside of Saudi Arabia for there are many Islamic countries which embrace and endorse chess, the Qatar Masters being a notable tournament.  Chess is not very productive, no doubt but its innocuous.  I have a much more difficult time understanding why anyone might frown upon music.

Any kind of gambling is haram in Islam.

Playing chess for a prize= gambling. Running marathon for a prize = gambling.

Those saudi idiots. . .

Guess we'll see even fewer islamic World Champions and Super-GMs than before now, what a horrible loss for chess! /sarc

Fortunately we don't have to forgo 1000 players who make fun of people who face serious difficulties to engage in a hobby. What a horrible loss for chess would that be...

Well, Ibrihim - you asked.

This is my understanding behind the ruling:

The reasoning states (among others) that "Allah says in the Holy Quran that Shaytan (i.e., Satan, evil spirits, evil people)  desires to create an ill feeling amongst you. He desires to create hatred among you...and that playing chess creates these feelings. It is also considered a waste of time and does nothing to foster intellect and interferes with worship. So wherever this is present, the prohibition will come into force, and that practice will become Haraam. All are aware of the degree of absorption in these games."

Imam Malik RA said that it is worse than the game of nard (backgammon, which is also haram) and more destructive than gambling.

So, on the surface of this ruling, it would appear to be a guide to make Muslims lives more god like and productive. After all, we all know Islam is a religion of peace. President Bush said so right after the Islamic terror attacks of 9-11. President Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent and has described the call to prayer as “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

All rainbows and unicorns, right?

Of course, if you are playing chess than you have less time to actively hate Jews and other infidels (Christians and other kafir, i.e., non-muslims)  and for planning and executing terror attacks against them. There is also less time available for raping young children and severely disciplining your wives. Why play chess when it interferes with the Muslim plan to install a worldwide Caliphate that calls for the execution of billions of people and/or their total subjugation and enslavement?

Sounds reasonable to me.   /s

In my opinion, no offence but chess isn't about hatred or enemyship, is about friendship, love building bonds ams things. Why shouldn't Islam allow it? No money is involved. So I state that chess is not garam. Aameen.

The way the Islamic world is actually constituted, few chess-playing Muslims are likely to pay any attention.

Yes , just a backwards way of thinking ?

Important information: Saudi is not yet Islam.

The former is the country, the latter is the religion

The entire idea of chess is that it is not gambling, btw. And, the Saudi law denies 'gambling' per se but not the medium, e.g. coins that one can flip - are yet allowed, as far as I can imagine ))

In 1061 the catholic Cardinal Damiani of Ostia in Italy prohibited chess,
and he wrote in a letter to the Pope that it was a disgraceful frivolity.

Christians have sometimes gone through phases of banning it, usually alongside other board games and "vain pastimes".

@PeerOli ---

Definition of the English word Sarcasm:

sarcasm
noun [ U ]
the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, made in order to hurt someone's feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way:

It's only Haram if you bet money on it.

Now THAT is news to me.

When and where was chess ever banned in christianity ?

AFAIK chess didnt really matter before 1500 when most of modern chess was invented (queen and bishop movements, castling), and it didnt really became actually popular until the 19. century, thanks to people like Morphy.

And if nobody cares then nobody would make rules about it.

I am Muslim myself and it technically isn't gambling since you ain't receiving real money for it if you're, like, playing online, iirc

I suck at chess tho sooo

By banning chess, it keeps the populous from critical thinking. This allows those in power to subjugate a nation of culture to be incapable of thinking for themselves. Society will use cultural leaders to make people vulnerable to governance of the mind. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson are the African Americans counter part, destabilizing their culture into complete dependence on government handouts of 'wisdom',while the family is destroyed.

[Moderator removed comment - AA]