Objective of the Game
The objective in Shatranj is to checkmate the opponent's king, meaning the king is under threat of capture and cannot escape the threat on the next move. Shatranj is considered a transitional game between Chaturanga and modern Chess, with some differences in rules and pieces.
The Board
The game is played on an 8x8 grid, similar to chess.
Pieces and Their Moves
- King (Shah): The king moves like in modern chess, one square in any direction.
- Ferz (Wazir): This piece is akin to the queen but moves only one square diagonally.
- Rukh: This piece corresponds to the rook and moves vertically or horizontally any number of squares.
- Alfil: The Alfil jumps two squares diagonally and can leap over pieces. Important: This piece stays on squares of the same color throughout the game.
- Knight (Faras): This piece jumps in an "L" shape, two squares in one direction and one square to the side, similar to the modern chess knight.
- Pawns (Baidaq): Pawns move as in chess today, one square forward and capture diagonally. However, in Shatranj, the pawn does not move two squares forward initially.
Starting Position
The pieces in Shatranj are set up similar to modern chess, with differences in piece positioning, especially the Ferz and Alfil.
Gameplay
- Players alternate turns, each moving one piece.
- Capturing is done by occupying the opponent's square.
- The goal is to checkmate the opponent's king.
Special Rules
- Stalemate: A game ends in a draw (stalemate) if a player cannot make any legal move and is not in check.
- Draw by Agreement: Players can agree on a draw.
- Opening: Since pawns cannot move two squares on their first move, there are fewer swift opening maneuvers.
Strategic Tips
- Control the Center: Try to control the central board squares to maximize your pieces' movement freedom.
- Safe Development: Develop your pieces early to have them ready for defense or attack.
- Using Alfil: Be mindful of how you position Alfil pieces, as they can only cover specific squares.
Shatranj is a strategically demanding game, and despite its differences, it shows interesting parallels to modern chess. Enjoy playing!
