shatranj
1 of 1noun/ʃəˈtrɑːndʒ/
Forms:shatranj
1
an ancient form of chess that originated in Persia, considered the precursor to modern chess, played on an 8x8 board with different pieces and rules
Shatranj is an ancient game from Persia that is considered the precursor to modern chess. Played on an 8x8 board, it involves two players, each with 16 pieces: a king, viziers, which are similar to queens, elephants, horses, chariots, and pawns. The goal is to checkmate the opponent's king, but the movement of the pieces differs from that of modern chess. For example, the vizier moves only one square diagonally, and the elephant moves two squares diagonally. Shatranj was played widely across the Islamic world and is believed to have influenced the development of chess as it spread to Europe.
- My grandfather taught me how to play shatranj when I was young.
- I love learning about the history of shatranj and how it influenced the game of chess.
- While shatranj is similar to chess, the movement of the pieces is more limited.
- Shatranj was played by many kings and scholars in the Persian Empire.
- We played a few rounds of shatranj to understand the origins of chess.