Chadarangam

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Chadaranga Pikkalu
Rāju (King)
Mantri (Minister or Queen)
Enugu (Elephant or Rook)
Śakatamu (Chariot or Bishop)
Gurramu (Horse or Knight)
Bantu (Foot-soldier (Pawn) )

Chadarangam is an Andhra or Telugu version of Indian Chess, Chaturanga. It became very famous among kings and courtesans. Previously Chariots (Ratha) were used in warfare, but in medieval times chariots were replaced by Camels (Oshtra). So, the Bishop in olden days was called Ratha/Śakata and in medieval ages was called Oshtra.

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[edit] Origin of the Word

This name may be derived from Sanskrit word Chaturanga or Persian word Chatrang. The Sanskrit word Chaturanga has a direct meaning "Having four Limbs". But in a military context it has meaning "an entire army (comprising elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry)".

[edit] Names of Pieces

Pieces will be of two colours black(Nalla) and white(Tella). In Telugu, Pieces are called Pikka(Plural->Pikkalu). On each side mainly Six Types of pieces will be there. They are

  • Rāju(Rāja) --> King
  • Mantri(Mantri) --> Queen
  • Śakatam(Ratha) --> Bishop
  • Gurram(Aśva) --> Knight
  • Enugu(Gaja) --> Rook
  • Bantu(Sainika) --> Pawn

[edit] Movements

Their movements are desined accordingly in the Chadarangam as

  • Rāju moves orthogonally or diagonally only one square at a time.
  • Mantri moves orthogonally or diagonally, any number of squares.
  • Śakatamu moves diagonally any number of squares and always stays on one of the two chequered colours.
  • Gurramu normal "L" Shaped Jumping Move (two spaces in one direction and one space orthogonally to it). It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces.
  • Enugu moves orthogonally to the players (forward, backward, left or right) any number of squares.
  • Bantu (Bhatudu) moves one space straight forward (away from the player). On its first move it can optionally move two spaces forward. If there is an enemy piece diagonally (either left or right) one space in front of the pawn, the pawn may move diagonally to capture that piece.

[edit] Terminology

  • A Move is called in Telugu as Ettu. (Here "t" is Pronounced as "t" in Telugu)
  • A Checkmate is called as Ātakattu.
  • A check is called as Rāju.
  • A Square is called Gadi.
  • A Piece is called Pikka.
  • White is called Tella.
  • Black is called Nalla.

[edit] Some Important Rules

  • Always White King (Tella Rāju) should be in Black square (Nalla Gadi) and Black King (Nalla Rāju) should be in White square (Tella Gadi).i.e., both Kings should not be faced together or placed in one same column. This is one of special characteristic of Chadarangam.
  • Though defeating opponent is main aim, honouring the opponent's King is also very important.i.e., Game becomes very complex, if we kill all the king's premier army (the four limbs, Chatur+Anga) without good strategy.
  • Either Checkmate or Stalemate (Rāja digbhandanam) is considered as win. In othercase, it is considered as a draw.

[edit] Significance of these pieces

It really stuns us the way the position and movements of pieces (Anga) were there, as they correctly suits to the reality of Indian warfare situations.

  • Rāju (King) is the most powerful, but often won't come into action unless required. The Knight-move (Gurrapu Ettu) of a King (Rāja) resembles the escape of a King for safer location in most-crutial time (Āpaddharma kāla) in a warfare.
  • Mantri (Queen) is the next most Powerful person in an Indian Empire/Kingdom. Though King only passes the decrees, Actually it the Prime minister who actually decides all kinds of acts and strategies that are required for the welfare of King/Kingdom. (In Sanskrit, Mantri means Prime Minister.)
  • Śakatamu (Bishop) is known For their famous Zig-Zag movements while attacking. Often the opponent doesn't takes into consideration the presence of Chariots which in turn give stunning, often devastating blows in an Indian Warfare. (Actually Śakata is a Sanskrit word meaning Chariot.)
  • Gurramu (Knight)is known for its irregular jumping movements which often keeps the opponent in a dilemma for a movement. Interestingly, even in the game it is the Gurramu (Knight) that has highest number of moves than any other piece. (In Telugu, Gurramu means Horse.)
  • Enugu (Rook) is known for Straight forward devastating attacks. Often opponent knows its advance but cannot escape. In olden days Enugu (Rook) played a very important role in scattering the army of an enemy, thereby making them to deviate from their strategical movements. (In Telugu, Enugu means Elephant.)
  • Bantu (Pawn) is also known as Bhatudu is a piece with lowest significance though large in number than any other pieces. But when a Bantu reaches other end, then the honour of that position except that of Rāju (King) is given in Traditional Indian Chess. Surprisingly, It is similar to the honouring of a Soldier when fought exceptionally good in a war by a King.

[edit] See also