|
Evidence for Sittuyin
2 pieces of evidence found.
Id DLP.Evidence.1411
Type Ethnography
Location 16°50'27.39"N, 96°10'24.70"E
Date 1795-01-01 - 1795-12-31
Rules 8x8 board, Each player has a complement of pieces, with special moves : Min-gyi(x1, "Great King"); Sit-ké (x1, "Lieutenant-General); Sin (x2, "Elephant"); Myin (x2, "Horse"): ; Yattah (x2, "Chariot"); Nè (x8).
Content "I had an opportunity at Rangoon, of observing that the Birmans of distinction played at chess, a circumstance which, from our secluded situation at the capital, had escaped my notice. This game is held in high estimation among the superior ranks: the board they
use is exactly similar to ours, containing sixty-four squares, and their number of troops the same, sixteen on each side; but the names, the power and disposal of
them differ essentially: the king and his minister are mounted on elephants; these are defended by two castles or yettay, two knights on horseback, Mene, two officers on foot, one called Meem, the other Chekey, and eight Maundelayor foot soldiers: the forces of
each party are arranged on three lines, “by which eight squares remain unoccupied; none of the pieces possess equal force with our queen; and this restricted operation, renders the Birman mode of playing more complex and difficult than ours...the Birmans call it Chedreen, a word that bears some resemblance to the name which is given to the game, in most
other parts of the world." Symes 1800: 207.
Confidence 100
Ages Adult
Social status Non-Elite
Source Symes, M. 1800. Account of an Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava, Sent by the Governor-General of India, in the Year 1795. Reprinted in SOAS Bulletin 2006 4(1): 59-208.
Id DLP.Evidence.1412
Type Ethnography
Location 21°54'11.87"N, 96° 2'54.91"E
Date 1796-01-01 - 1798-12-31
Rules 8x8 board, with one diagonal, from the top right corner to the bottom left. Each player has a complement of pieces, with special moves as follows: Min-gyi(x1, "Great King"): moves one space in any direction; Sit-ké (x1, "Lieutenant-General): moves on space diagonally; Sin (x2, "Elephant"): moves one space diagonally or orthogonally forward; Myin (x2, "Horse"): moves as a Chess knight; Yattah (x2, "Chariot"): moves orthogonally any distance; Nè (x8): moves one space orthogonally forward or one space forward diagonally to capture. Promotes to Sit-kè on the next turn after moving to a space with a diagonal. At the beginning of the game, the board is laid out with the four of the Nè in the left half of the third third row of squares, and four in the right half of the fourth row of squares. Players alternate turns placing the remaining pieces. The Min-gyi are placed in the second space from the right in the second row, and a Sin must be placed next to it. If a player wishes to place one of their pieces in a spot occupied by a Nè, they may do so and place the Nè elsewhere behind the rows of Nè. When all of the pieces are placed, players may continue alternating turns rearranging pieces, one at a time, as they see fit. When one player is satisfied with their pieces, they move a Nè forward and the rearrangement phase ends. Players alternate turns moving their pieces according to their assigned movements. Pieces are captured when an player's piece lands on a space occupied by an opponent's piece. The Min-gyi is I ncheck when it can be taken on the opponent's next turn; it must not remain in check at the end of the player's subsequent turn. The goal is to checkmate the Min-gyi, where it cannot move out of check. A move which causes a stalemate is not allowed.
Content "The Burmha name for the game of chess is chit-tha-reen, a term applied by them either to a generalissimo, or warfare; an etymologist perhaps might trace it as a corruption of the Sanskrit Caturanga. The annexed drawing and diagram will best explain the form of the pieces, &c. and ordinary array of the battalia. No. 1. Ming, or the king, has the same moves and powers as in the English game, except that he cannot castle, neither do they admit of what we call a stale mate. No. 2. Chekoy, or sub-general; he moves diagonally either way in advance or retrograde, but limited to one check or step at a move. No. 3. 3. Rut'ha, war chariot; they have exactly the same moves and powers as the English castle or rook.No. 4. 4. Chein, elephants; they have five distinct moves; direct 1. diagonal in advance 2. diagonal retrograde 2. but limited to one check or step at a move; they slay diagonally only; the move direct in advance being only intended to alter the line of their operations, so that they may occasionally have the powers of our king's or queen's bishop. No. 5. 5. Mhee, cavalry; they have exactly the same moves as in the English game. No. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. Yein, or foot soldier; they have the same moves and powers as in the English game, except that they are limited to one check or step at a move, and that the right-hand pieces only are susceptible of promotion to the rank of checkoy (in the event of his being taken.) It is not necessary for this promotion that they should have advnced to the last row of the adversary's checks, but to that check which is in a diagonal line with the left-hand check in the last row of the adversary's section; consequently the right hand pawn or yein, according to the diagram, will have to advance four steps to obtain the rank of chekoy; the 2d yein 3 steps; the 3d yein, 2 steps; the 4th yein, 2 steps; and the 5th yein, 1 step. Although the array of the battalia is generally as in the diagram, yet the Burmhas admit of great variations; each party being allowed to arrange their pieces ad libitum; that is to say, they may strengthen either wing, or expose the king, according as they estimate each others abilities, or as caprice or judgement may influence them. In some respects this is tantamount to our giving a piece to an inferior player, but the variation is only to be understoof of the pieces, and not of the pawns." Cox 1803: 491-493.
Confidence 100
Source Cox, H. 1803. "Account of the Burmha Game of Chess." Asiatic Researches 7: 491-493.
|
