MANUAL OF MYANMAR TRADITIONAL CHESS

MYANMAR SITBAYIN LAM NYUN SAR OAK GYI

BY

Shwe Kyin U BA

E-BOOK IS PREPARED

BY

FM MAUNG MAUNG LWIN

ORIGINAL BOOK BELONGS TO

U THAME ZAW

INTRODUCTION

Myanmar Traditional Chess is one of the most original chess variants played in the world and it would merit much more attention. After chess was firstly introduced in India around 400 AD, it reached to Myanmar in about 600 AD. Then ancient Myanmar people adopted chess into their own way.

So some significant changes and differences are clearly visible and it has shown us about the creativity of our ancestors. They made it different from other variants of chess and looked more similar to actual fighting war where the position of the forces in strategic points plays a vital role to judge the result of the fighting.

The game is played over a 64-squares board with two long diagonals clearly drawn from one corner of the board to another corner. Pawns are placed in the fixed position as shown below.

The other pieces are placed after, starting by Red first, followed then by Black. This can be said as the most characteristic of Myanmar Traditional Chess. This freedom in placement is probably a local answer to the slowness of development of the ancient Arab-Indian game. It is comparable, although more modern and efficient, than the Ta'biya in Shatranj (players chosen a determined starting arrangement) or the Werera in Senterej (Ethiopian Chess, players were playing as many moves as they wanted at high speed until the first capture).

The moves of the pieces come from ancient India. They are those encountered in Thailand and Cambodia. The main difference is small and is related to the Pawn promotion which is here obtained when the Pawn reaches the long diagonal square in the territory of the opponent and Initial Pawn Structure.

Like in other Asian countries, the Queen and Bishops are here a General and two Elephants and their moves are the old 1-step move on 4 and 5 directions respectively.

Manual of Myanmar Traditional Chess ( Original title in Myanmar language - Myanmar Sitbayin Lam Hnyun Kyam Gyi ) written by Shwe Kyin U Ba and published in 1924, is the first and earliest Myanmar chess book.

Now we are concentrating more on the development and promotion of Myanmar Traditional Chess and we would like to share the beauties of Myanmar Traditional Chess to chess enthusiasts all over the world.

Since this e-book version of the original book is in Myanmar language, it cannot meet the needs of our chess friends from other countries. But it can be a gift for Myanmar Traditional Chess players who are looking for the books of its kind.

Thanks shall be given to U Win Aung, Chairman of Myanmar Traditional Chess Committee, who is trying hard to get the public attention and promoting our traditional chess. U Thame Zaw is here to include his name for his never-ending love on Myanmar Traditional Chess. Then may I convey the thanks to all the players and friends of Myanmar Traditional Chess for their strong supports.

Maung Maung Lwin President Myanmar Chess Federation

9th September, 2010. Yangon, MYANMAR.