Playing Chess Outside of the Prayer Times

Question :

Under the following conditions, is it permissible to play chess: playing it not always, but only sometimes, playing it without saying bad words, and playing it outside of the prayer times?

Answer:

The correct opinion in this issue is that playing chess is unlawful. First, the pieces used for this game are statues of beings, and it is well known that these are unlawful, for the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The angels do not enter a home wherein there is a picture."

Second, chess for the most part diverts one from the remembrance of Allah Almighty, and whatever often diverts people from Allah's remembrance is unlawful. In fact, Allâh Almighty mentioned this when clarifying the wisdom behind the prohibition of gambling:
"Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from As-Salah. So, will you not then abstain?

Also, people often argue when playing chess, which leads to enmity between two Muslim brothers. Some people become so absorbed in chess, that though they are intelligent concerning its strategies, they are slow-witted in other feats of the mind. This is clearly observed in people who spend a lot of time playing this game. Now, if in addition to the reasons mentioned chess is played for money, then it is even worse.

Source:
Ibn 'Uthaimin
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 8 Pages 265-266