Chaturanga

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Chaturanga

• By Jared, Eric, and Mike

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History

• Chaturanga is an ancient Indian game which is
  presumed to be common ancestor of chess, shogi,
  and makruk.
• Chaturanga has been played since the 6th century
  or earlier, and most commonly believed to be the
  oldest version of chess.
• It is the direct ancestor of shatranj which
  eventually brought chess to medieval Europe.

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History, Cont.

• In Sanskrit, Chaturanga literally means having
  four limbs (or parts) and in epic poetry often
  means army.
• It reflects four-fold division of the ancient
  Indian army, besides the king and his counsellor
  or general in the center, the army consisted of
• Infantry represented by Pawns
• Thundering war elephants represented by the rooks
  
• Camels are represented by the bishop
• Mounted cavalry are represented by the horse
• Chariots are also represented by the rooks

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The Game

• Chaturanga is played on an 8X8 unchecked board,
  called Ashtapada.
• The board had some special markers, the meaning
  is still unknown today, but they were said to be
  traditional.

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Pieces of Chaturanga

• Mantri (Counsellor/General)- moves one square
  diagonally
• Raja (King)- moves like the king in chess.
• Ratha (Chariot)- moves like the rook in chess
  (ship in alternate versions)
• Gaja (Elephant)- 3 different moves described in
  ancient literature
• Two squares in any diagonal direction, jumping
  over one square.
• One square forward or one square in any diagonal
  direction
• Two squares in any orthogonal direction, jumping
  over one square

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Pieces..Cont.

• Ashva (Horse)- moves like the knight in chess
• Padati/Bhata (Foot-soldier)- moves like the pawn
  in chess

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How to Win

• The player who captures all of the opposing
  players pieces wins. However, it is sometimes
  not necessary to capture the oppositions King
  for victory.
• In the gambling version of the game, a certain
  monetary value is given out to each of the
  pieces. At the end of the game you count up the
  total value of the pieces youve captured, and
  the respective owners pay out.

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References

• Chaturanga. Retrieved March 21, 2007, from
  Answers Web site http//www.answers.com/topic/cha
  turanga