Samantsy
The above board is a 2-D representative of Shatranj. It may be similar to Samantsy.
Alternate Names
Madagascan Chess
No. of Players
Two
Equipment
An 8x8 square grid and a set of Shatranj pieces are required for play.
History
Samantsy was once played by the Tanala people living in the forest of the Ikongo in South-East Madagascar. The moves of the pieces are reported to be exactly the same as Shatranj, and because of this it is most likely that Samantsy came to Madagascar via Arab traders and merchants. Are there any existing sets?
Pieces
Objective
Play
Strategy
Variations
Sources
Pritchard, D.B. The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Completed, edited, and published by John Beasley, 2007. ISBN 978-0-9555168-0-1