SHATAR
Mongolian Chess
Shatar was the variant of chess, played for many centuries in Mongolia, before it was replaced by FIDE chess by pressure of the former CCCP. This game is a direct offspring of the medieval Arabic chess, evolving in a different direction as chess did in Western Europe and Russia. The movement of the Queen is particularly interesting, as it has the combined moves of a Ferz (general) and Rook.
The first AISE tournament was play in Grand Prix 1993.
RULES
1. The same pieces and the same startup position as usual chess are used, but with the following modifications:
- The King (Noin) could not castle;
- The Queen (Berse) can moves like a Rook and one square diagonally, like the Fersa;
- The Knight (Mori) cannot give mate;
- The Pawn (Chu) does not have a double initial step, with the exception of the pawn before the Queen. Pawns only promotes to Queen (Berse).
- The Rook (Terge) and the Bishop (Teme) have the same moves as in usual chess.
2. The first move of the game is obligatory: 1.d2d4 followed by 1.d7d5.
3. There are different type of check:
- Shak is given by Queen, Rook or Knight;
- Tuk is given by a Bishop;
- Zod is given by a Pawn;
- Mat with all pieces excepted the Knight (as written above, a mate with a Knight is forbidden).
Moreover, one may not mate except by a Shak (i.e., checking by Queen or Rook), or by a mate that is followed after a series of checks that included at least one Shak. E.g., if we mate the opponent after checking with a knight, then in the next move with a pawn, and then mating with a bishop, then the game is won.
4. The game is draw for:
- Niol, if one mates the king without fulfilling the criterium, i.e., with a bishop or pawn, or after a series of bishop and pawn checks.
- Robado, if a player has only a king and no other pieces left.
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since 2 Apr. 1998; Last Updated: 2 Apr..1998
© Fabio Forzoni 1998