Bagh Chal (1000) – Board Game Guys

History/Background:

The exact origins of Bagha-Chall are unclear, but it is believed to date back to the medieval Malla dynasty period in Nepal (1200-1769 AD).The name “Bagha-Chall” comes from the Nepali words “Bagha” meaning tiger and “Chall” meaning prey/victim. This refers to the basic gameplay which involves tigers “hunting” goats.Bagha-Chall was traditionally played by royalty and aristocrats in Nepal. It was seen as a game of strategy for intellectuals.Over the centuries, Bagha-Chall became more widespread among all classes and castes in Nepal. Today it is regarded as the national game of Nepal.

Popularity/Significance:

Bagha-Chall is embedded in Nepali culture. There are Nepali folk songs and poems that reference the game.It is commonly played during festivals and family gatherings, especially during Dashain.Nepali chess clubs and tournaments often feature Bagha-Chall along with chess.The game helps promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. It is sometimes used in schools to teach students strategy.

Game Components of Bagha-Chall:

Board (4×4 checkered squares)2 sets of 9 tiger pieces2 sets of 5 goat pieces2 dice

Setup:

Board is placed between playersTigers are placed on one side, goats on the otherDice are placed to the side

Gameplay Mechanics of Bagha-Chall:

Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their piecesTigers “capture” goats by landing on a goat’s squareGoats try to avoid capture and make it to the other sideIf a tiger lands on another tiger, the tiger is returned to its denFirst player to capture 5 goats wins

Objective:

Tigers
– Capture 5 goatsGoats
– Get to other side without being captured

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