The game of Shatranj (the Persian or Arab predecessor of modern Chess) is still played widely in the Middle East and is far from being a dead game. Indeed, Shatranj is the normal form of chess played in Arab countries and Iran.
This ZRF file was first created to use graphics other than Stauton chess pieces. Stauton pieces and a checkered board seem take away from the traditional feel of Shatranj. The pieces I used for this ZRF are the creation of LL Smith, the prolific ZRF author and includes several he generously made for me, as my own graphic artistry is not the best. These graphics do a good job of giving a better feel for Shatranj than Stauton chess pieces, while adding a more modern look to it.
There are also four variants in this script, which are all stand-alone games in their own right which enjoyed notable popularity in their day. These variants are: - Shatranj Kamil I (Complete Chess variation I) on a 10x10 board, with the addition of Camel pieces.
- Shatranj Kamil II (Complete Chess variation II) on a 10x10 board, with the addition of War Machines, instead of Camels.
- Shatranj Al-Husun (Citadel Chess) on a 10x10 board with extra "citadel" squares on the corners. Includes a more powerful War Machine piece.
- Shatranj Timur (Tamerlane's Chess) on an 11x10 board, with one extra "citadel square" for either player. Includes some interesting long range pieces, such as the Giraffe, Picket, Camel and War Machine. The promotion rules are much stronger than in the original, in an attempt to speed up the end-game somewhat.
For a more traditional feel of Shatranj and its variants, I have used uncheckered boards, as well as more traditional Arabic or Persian names for the pieces (per Gollon's "Chess Variations," 1968). These names are: Shah (King)
Firzan (General)
Vizir (Chancellor)
Baidaq (Pawn)
Fil (Elephant)
Faras (Horse)
Jamal (Camel)
Dabbabah (War Machine)
Taliah (Picket)
Zarafah (Giraffe)
Rukh (Rook) |
