Sittuyin (1800)
Sittuyin (Burmese chess)
Sittuyin, also known as Burmese chess, is a strategy board game created in Myanmar. It is a direct offspring of the Indian game of chaturanga, which arrived in Myanmar in the 8th century, thus it is part of the same family of games such as chess and shogi. The game has been largely overshadowed by Western (international) chess in its native land, although it remains popular in the northwest regions.
Why is Sittuyin (Burmese chess) Popular?
Sittuyin is significant because it is a traditional game that has been played in Myanmar for centuries. It is also interesting because it has some unique features that distinguish it from other chess variants. For example, the Burmese pawns are set up far advanced, some on the 3rd and some on the 4th rows, and once the pawns are set up, the players place their pieces wherever they like behind the pawn rows (some restrictions apply).
Game Components of Sittuyin (Burmese chess)
Sittuyin board: 64 squares, 8 rows and 8 columns, without alternating colors.
The board has two diagonal lines from corner to corner, which are known as sit-ke-myin (Burmese: စစ်ကဲမျဉ်း, general’s lines).
Pieces:
– Chariot (rook)
– Elephant (bishop)
– Horse (knight)
– Commander (queen)
– King
– Pawn
Game Setup of Sittuyin (Burmese chess)
The pawns are set up far advanced, some on the 3rd and some on the 4th rows. Once the pawns are set up, the players place their pieces wherever they like behind the pawn rows (some restrictions apply).
Gameplay Mechanics of Sittuyin (Burmese chess)
Each player moves one piece per turn. The pieces move as follows:
– Chariot (rook): moves horizontally or vertically any number of squares.
– Elephant (bishop): moves diagonally any number of squares.
– Horse (knight): moves two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular to that direction.
– Commander (queen): moves like a combination of the rook and bishop, i.e., horizontally, vertically, or diagonally any number of squares.
– King: moves one square in any direction.
– Pawn: moves one square forward, but captures diagonally.
Game Objective of Sittuyin (Burmese chess)
The goal of the game is to khwè (checkmate) the opponent’s king. Putting the opponent in stalemate is not allowed.
Player Experience
Sittuyin is a challenging and strategic game that requires careful planning and foresight. The unique setup of the pawns and pieces means that players must be adaptable and flexible in their approach to the game. The game can be played by two players, and each game typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.
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