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Shatranj Diwana Shah (1800)

ByMichail

Origins

The game was first played in the 19th century in India and is a solved game with a forced win for Black.

Gameplay Mechanics

The game involves a lone Maharajah, which is a powerful piece, and a force of 16 Sepoys, which are weaker pieces. The Maharajah’s strategy is to clean as many black pieces as possible in the early game using forks (attacking more than one unprotected piece at once). After sufficiently cleaning the board, it should use checks to chase the black king away from its other pieces, drive it to an edge of the board, and give checkmate.

Popularity

The game has received much attention in game books and has been described in various sources, such as Edward Falkeners’ book “Games Ancient and Oriental and How to Play Them”.

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Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl