Objective of the Game
The objective of Senterej, also known as Ethiopian Chess, is to checkmate the opponent's king. This means the opponent's king is under attack and cannot move without staying in check.
Setup
Senterej is played on a board similar to the traditional chessboard. It has 8 rows (horizontally) and 8 columns (vertically), totaling 64 squares. The initial setup of the pieces is similar to chess, but with differences in moves and pieces:
- King: Moves like in chess, one square in any direction.
- Regent (similar to a Queen): Moves like the queen in chess.
- Elephant (similar to a Rook): Moves like the rook in chess.
- Horse: Moves like the knight in chess.
- Lion: Moves like a king in chess.
- Foot Soldiers (Pawns): Move straight forward and capture diagonally like in chess, but cannot be promoted when reaching the opposite side.
Rules and Gameplay
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Opening Phase: Unlike traditional chess, the first moves in Senterej are made simultaneously. This means both players move their pieces at the same time in a continuous flow until the first piece is captured.
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Established Phase: Once a piece is captured, the game shifts to alternating moves, similar to traditional chess. One player moves, the other reacts, and so on.
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Capturing: Pieces are captured by moving one of your pieces onto the square occupied by an opponent's piece.
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Checkmate: Like in chess, the objective is to checkmate the opponent's king. However, due to the simultaneous start, capturing the king requires strategic planning.
Special Features and Strategies
- Simultaneous Start: As players perform their initial moves simultaneously, foresight and a good understanding of potential openings and opponent's responses are crucial.
- Engagement and Adaptation: Once the first capture occurs, players must adapt their strategy and consider how to pressure the opponent through alternating moves.
Tips for New Players
- Practice Makes Perfect: The simultaneous start can be confusing at first, so practice games are recommended.
- Forward Planning: Since both players act simultaneously, forward planning is crucial, especially in the opening phase.
Conclusion
Senterej is a strategic variant of chess with unique challenges due to the simultaneous opening phase. It provides an exciting change from classic chess variants and promotes strategic thinking at a different level.
