Shatar

Shatar: A Brief History and Background

Shatar, also known as Mongolian chess, is a popular game among Mongolian people that has its roots in the Great Mongol Empire. The game has several differences compared to international chess, such as the use of 3D carved pieces and a unique setup.

Origins

Shatar is believed to have originated from the medieval Arabic chess, evolving in a different direction than chess in Western Europe and Russia. The game was played among Mongolians’ ancestors during the 13th century and possibly before.

Popularity

Chess is a traditional game in Mongolia, with a long history dating back to the Great Mongol Empire. It is almost as popular as herding and wrestling in the country.

Game Components of Shatar (Mongolian chess)

The game uses the same pieces as international chess, with the addition of a Bodyguard piece in the medieval variation, Hiashatar. The board is typically unicolor, but it changed to a classical checkered board after World War II.

Gameplay Mechanics of Shatar (Mongolian chess)

The rules of Shatar are similar to those of international chess, with some differences, such as the noyan (lord) not castling and the küü (pawn) not having an initial double-step move option. The movement of the queen is particularly interesting, as it has the combined moves of a Ferz (general) and Rook.

Game Objective of Shatar (Mongolian chess)

The objective of Shatar is to checkmate the opponent’s king, similar to international chess. However, there are different types of checks, such as Shak (given by queen, rook, or knight), Tuk (given by a bishop), and Zod (given by a pawn).

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