Is it permissible to play chess, especially since some people play it for the sake of developing their minds or for entertainment and for betting? What if the opponent is a computer that uses symbols and shapes instead of the actual instruments/pieces of the game?
Playing chess is absolutely forbidden, even without betting, because it is gambling [based on Islamic textual evidence], and there is no difference in whether it is with the usual instruments, through a computer, or if there are two players. If one of the two players is the computer, then it must be avoided based on obligatory precaution.