Shax

Shax (pronounced /shah/) is a board game played in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia. The game is usually played by marking a board on the ground, and using stones or sticks as pieces. With its origins dating back centuries, it has had a significant influence on Somali literature, which often mentions gameplay and strategies. In the historical nomadic lifestyle of the Somali people, shax was also utilized as a means of communication between different clans.

Why is Shax Popular?

Shax is a traditional game from the Horn of Africa and belongs to the Morris family. Like other games from that family, its origins date back to antiquity. The game has cultural significance in Somalia and is still popular today. It is also interesting to note that the game related objects found in Kush illustrate both Egyptian and Greco-Roman influences, and together they illustrate a continuous outside influence on playing practices in Kush but little evidence for locally developed games.

Game Components of Shax

– A board marked with a grid of intersecting lines
– Stones or sticks used as pieces.

Game Setup of Shax

The board is marked with a grid of intersecting lines, and each player starts with 12 pieces. The pieces are placed on the intersections of the lines.

Gameplay Mechanics of Shax

Shax is similar to the game nine men’s morris and uses the same board. However, in shax, mills formed during placement do not immediately result in the removal of opposing pieces. When placement is finished, if any mills have been formed, the player who formed the first one may remove one opposing piece, and the other player may do the same whether they formed a mill or not. Play then continues as before. If no mills were formed during placement, the second player to move during placement is the first to move after it. If at any time a player has no moves, their opponent is required to open an intersection by moving. If this freeing movement happens to form a mill, no piece may be removed. The “flying” rule is not used.

Game Objective of Shax

The objective of the game is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces or to block them so they cannot make any more moves.

Player Experience

Shax is a strategic game that requires players to think ahead and plan their moves carefully. It is a two-player game that can be played quickly, but also has the potential for longer, more complex games.

Conclusion

Shax is a traditional board game from the Horn of Africa that is still popular today. It has cultural significance in Somalia and has had a significant influence on Somali literature. The game is played on a board marked with a grid of intersecting lines, and each player starts with 12 pieces. The objective of the game is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces or to block them so they cannot make any more moves. Shax is a strategic game that requires players to think ahead and plan their moves carefully.

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