Chess is an old game, and didn't always used to look like
chess. So, last week we learned
about Shatranj, and tried to solve Dilaram's
mate (an old
Shatranj puzzle), and invite you to try playing Shatranj
online.
"In general, it can be established that there are two defenses against 1. e4, which make it absolutely impossible for the first player to take any initiative, and which give Black such an even game, without any difficulties at all, that it has now become useless in practice, since these defenses are generally known. They are the Caro-Kann Defense and the variation of the French Game: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4."Glad that's settled! :-)
.thumbnail.jpg "South American Chess Set (rear)")
.thumbnail.jpg "Chinese Chess Set (2D)")
.thumbnail.JPG "Chess Set for Makruk (Thai or Cambodian Chess)")
.thumbnail.jpg "Dolls House Chess Set (magnetic)")
 on Felt board.thumbnail.JPG "Mongolian Chess Set (Shatar) on Felt board")
.thumbnail.jpg "3D Chinese Chess Set (detail)")
as-Suli's Diamond puzzle
http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/sulis-diamond