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Shatranj

S
PLAYERS
2
DIFFICULTY
SETTING
Indoor
MATERIALS
MEASUREMENTS

Standard 8x8 checkered board, same size as a modern chessboard.

HOW TO PLAY
1

Arrange each side's pieces on their home row: chariots in the corners, horses next, elephants beside them, and the king and counselor in the center.

2

Move pieces by their traditional patterns: chariots move any distance in a straight line, horses jump in an L-shape, elephants move exactly two squares diagonally, and foot soldiers move and capture one square forward.

3

The counselor moves one square diagonally, and the king moves one square in any direction.

4

Capture an opposing piece by moving your piece onto its square.

5

Declare check when you threaten the opposing king, and the opponent must respond by blocking, capturing the threat, or moving the king.

6

The game is won by trapping the opposing king so it cannot escape capture, or by capturing all of an opponent's pieces except the king under bare-king rules.