Shatranj (Ancient Chess)
Also known as: Shatranj / Ancient Chess / Persian Chess
An ancestor of chess from medieval Persia and Arabia. Move short-range pieces to win by checkmate, a bare opposing Shah or stalemate. For two players (about 20 minutes).
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Shatranj (Ancient Chess) in 30 seconds
- Setup16 pieces each on an 8×8 board. Both Shahs face along the d column; White moves first.
- PlayAlternate one move. Capture an opposing piece on the destination.
- WinCheckmate, a bare opposing Shah, or stalemate wins.
- PromotionA Baidaq reaching the last rank automatically becomes a Ferz.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 20 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | No |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-10-07 |
How to play Shatranj (Ancient Chess) online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Two players move 16 White and 16 Black pieces on an 8×8 board.
- From a-file to h-file the back rank is Rukh, Faras, Alfil, Shah, Ferz, Alfil, Faras, Rukh for both sides. The Shahs are on d1 and d8.
- Baidaqs start on White’s second rank and Black’s seventh. White moves first.
How to play
- Alternate one move each: select a piece and tap a destination. Capture any enemy there. Captured pieces never return.
- Shah (king): one square any direction. Ferz (queen): one diagonally. Alfil (bishop): exactly two diagonally. Faras (knight): two squares straight, then one at a right angle. Rukh (rook): any distance horizontally or vertically.
- Alfil and Faras jump intervening pieces. Rukh does not. Each Alfil can reach only eight squares.
- Baidaq (pawn): one step forward onto an empty square; capture diagonally forward. Even the first move is one square. No en passant or castling.
- White promotes on rank 8, Black on rank 1. Promotion is mandatory, automatic, and always to a Ferz.
- An attacked Shah is in check: move, capture or block to answer it. Never leave your Shah capturable.
Winning
- No answer to check means checkmate and a win.
- No legal move even without check loses (stalemate). A table setting can make it a draw.
- Capture every opposing piece except the Shah to win (bare Shah). If the opponent can immediately capture your last non-Shah piece back, it gets one final reply: capturing back draws, any other move loses. A setting removes this counter.
- Both bare Shahs, the same board and turn three times, or 50 moves each without a capture or Baidaq move draws. Checkmate on the last move takes precedence.
- Resign at any time. After the result, play again.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| StalemateStalemateA side with no legal move loses even without check (stalemate), as in historical Shatranj. Choose Draw to treat it as in modern chess. | The stalemated side loses, following historical Shatranj. | Stalemating side wins (standard) | Changeable |
| Bare ShahBare ShahCapture every opposing piece except the Shah to win (bare Shah). With a counter, the opponent may capture your last piece on the next move, leaving both Shahs bare for a draw. With no counter, baring the Shah wins at once. | Capture all opposing non-Shah pieces to win, unless the opponent captures your last piece back on its next move, leaving both Shahs bare for a draw. | Counter allowed (standard) | Changeable |
| Show legal moves | Show destination dots when selecting a piece. | On | Changeable |
| Swap first player | Swap White each game. | On | Changeable |
| Piece name labels | Show short name labels on the pieces. | On | Changeable |
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FAQ
How many players?
Two. You can also play a CPU.
How long?
About 20 minutes. There is no move clock.
Do I need an account?
Play free without registering. Share a table link or play a CPU.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Can we play without being online at the same time?
Yes. Choose “Turn-based (told each turn)” and you can make one move whenever you like. We tell you when it is your turn. A table ends automatically, with no winner or loser, after 45 days without a move.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Board)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-10-07 · Run by Qdan, Inc.