Chadarangam

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Chadaranga Pikkalu
Rāju (king)
Mantri (minister or queen)
Enugu (elephant or rook)
Śakaṭamu (chariot or bishop)
Gurramu (horse or knight)
Banṭu (foot-soldier or pawn)

Chadarangam (Telugu: చదరంగము) 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 (Oṣṭra). So, the bishop in olden days was called Ratha / Śakaṭa and in medieval ages was called Oṣṭra.

Origin of the Word

This name may be derived from the 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)".

Names of Pieces

Pieces will be of two colours: black (Nalla) and white (Tella). In Telugu, pieces are called pikka (plural – pikkalu). Each side has mainly six types of pieces, namely:

Movements

Their movements are designed 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.
  • Śakaṭamu 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.
  • Banṭu (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.

Terminology

  • In Telugu, a move is called Ettu. (Here "t" is pronounced as "t" in Telugu.)
  • Checkmate is called Āṭakaṭṭu.
  • Stalemate is called Āṭataṭṭu.
  • Check is called Rāju.
  • Square is called Gaḍi.
  • Piece is called Pikka.
  • White is called Tella.
  • Black is called Nalla.

Some Important Rules

Initial position
abcdefgh
8
a8 black rook
b8 black knight
c8 black bishop
d8 black queen
e8 black king
f8 black bishop
g8 black knight
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
b7 black pawn
c7 black pawn
d7 black pawn
e7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
c2 white pawn
d2 white pawn
e2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
b1 white knight
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
f1 white bishop
g1 white knight
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
First row: Enugu, Gurramu, Sakatamu, Mantri, Raju, Sakatamu, Gurramu, Enugu. Second row: Bantlu.
  • Always the white king (Tella Rāju) should be on a black square (Nalla Gaḍi) and the black king (Nalla Rāju) should be on a white square (Tella Gaḍi).
  • Though defeating the opponent is main aim, honouring the opponent's king is also very important. I.e., the game becomes very complex, if all the king's premier army is killed (the four limbs, Chatur+Anga) without using good strategy.
  • Either checkmate or stalemate (Rāja digbhandanam) is considered a win. In other cases, it is considered as a draw.

Significance of these pieces

It really stuns us the way the position and movements of pieces (Anga) were, as they correctly suit 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 a safer location at the most crucial time (Āpaddharma kāla) in warfare.
  • Mantri (queen) is the next most powerful person in an Indian empire/kingdom. Though the king only passes the decrees, actually it is the Prime Minister who actually decides all kinds of acts and strategies that are required for the welfare of the king/kingdom. (In Sanskrit, Mantri means Prime Minister.)
  • Śakaṭamu (bishop) is known for their famous zig-zag movements while attacking. Often the opponent doesn't take into consideration the presence of chariots which in turn give stunning, often devastating blows in Indian warfare. (Actually Śakaṭa 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 moment. Interestingly, even in the game it is the Gurramu (knight) that has a greater number of moves than any other piece. (In Telugu, Gurramu means horse.)
  • Enugu (rook) is known for straightforward devastating attacks. Often the 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 deviate from their strategic movements. (In Telugu, Enugu means elephant.)
  • Banṭu (pawn) (also known as Bhaṭuḍu) is a piece with lowest significance though larger in number than any other piece. But when a Banṭu reaches the 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 for having fought exceptionally well in a war, by a king.

See also

References

Caturanga Darpanamu (1910) - Esvarappa Pantulu, Buddiraju

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