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Masterfully hand-carved. Includes hand-made box and felt board.

(Provincial, 18^th Century, horse cart rook (tereg ) design, bird and dog pawn (fu design and well worn patina.)

Throughout history Mongolians have maintained a very high regard for the game of chess – it embodies strategy, wisdom and adversity. Mongolian chess exists in two variants and the Mongolian names for them are as follows: the little one – shatar, the big one – hiashatar. The word “shatar” derives from name of Arabian chess “shatranj”. Presumably since the chess game came to Mongolia from Arabia through Iran and along the ancient Silk Road at the time of the Mongol Empire.

It is a Mongolian tradition chess ought be played in a peaceful and respectful atmosphere. During the game the chess players sometimes become completely immersed but nevertheless they continue to control their emotions, and the game practically never turns into a quarrel. It is also considered innappropriate behaviour to boast of victory. There are many Mongolian myths and legends which refer to the game of chess and its mastery. For example, according to the popular Mongolian folklore the most passionate chess players have a very long life!!!

In many ways the attributes of single-pointed concentration and meditative action that embody the Mongolian approach to chess aligns well with their Buddhist practises. Wisdom and its expression being an important milestone along the path to enlightenment.

Mongolian have following names for their chess pieces:

• King – noyon (prince, duke). Sometimes depicted as feudal lord or Khan riding upon a horse. Sometimes, the white king resembles a figure of venerable, stout and very honourable man with a beard, a partisan of old times and conservatism. The black king is an absolute antipode – it is a figure of thin and beardless young man, personifying new times and progress.
• Queen – bers (fantastic animal resembling a big dog). However there are also other candidates for queens – big cats. For white pieces it may be a figure of white lion with green mane, for black pieces – a figure of snow leopard.
• Bishop – teme (camel) and Knight – mori (horse). Horses (knights) and camels (bishops) can have sexual distinctions: on one flank stallions and male camels stand, on other flank – mares and female camels.
• Rook – tereg (chariot, vehicle). Rook can be represented not only by chariot, but also by wheel, dragon, fairy bird garuda, peacock’s train, fan, and in modern chess sets – by car, truck or tank. Pawns can be made not only as little dogs (puppies), but also as lion or tiger cubs, hares and birds.
• Pawn – fu (child, young). In this set the pawns are snow lions and birds ( in other sets one may see small child on galloping horse and even young wrestlers). Sometimes queen and pawn have the same shape, but different sizes – queen is a big dog, and pawn is a puppy or a little dog. 

References

In the Mongolian game of Shatar, there exist regional variations in the rules of the game, and participants usually specify the rules before the beginning of game. A general description of the rules is at the following internet sites:

1. Mongolian Chess. http://www.chessvariants.com/oriental.dir/shatar.html
2. Mongolian Chess. http://www.chessvariants.com/play/erf/Shatar.html

Detailed Rules of Mongolian Chess can be also be downloaded as a booklet here.

Size of Largest Piece: -Approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) H

Box Size: 6.75 inches (17 cm) W X 3.15 in (9 cm) Deep

Box Height: 2.75 inches (7 cm) Tall

Board Size: 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) W SAME

Weight: 14 1/2 ozs (413g)

If you would like to see more pictures, please don't hesitate to ask and I will send you a zip file full of them.

All rights reserved.  Mongoliancollectables. 2007/2208/2009