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MANUAL OF MYANMAR TRADITIONAL CHESSMYANMAR SITBAYIN LAM NYUN SAR OAK GYI BY Shwe Kyin U BA E-BOOK IS PREPARED BY FM MAUNG MAUNG LWIN ORIGINAL BOOK BELONGS TOU THAME ZAW INTRODUCTION Myanmar Traditional Chess is one of the most srcinal chess variants played in theworld and it would merit much more attention. After chess was firstly introduced in Indiaaround 400 AD, it reached to Myanmar in about 600 AD. Then ancient Myanmar peopleadopted chess into their own way.So some significant changes and differences are clearly visible and it has shown usabout the creativity of our ancestors. They made it different from other variants of chessand looked more similar to actual fighting war where the position of the forces in strategicpoints 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 drawnfrom one corner of the board to another corner. Pawns are placed in the fixed position asshown below.The other pieces are placed after, starting by Red first, followed then by Black. Thiscan be said as the most characteristic of Myanmar Traditional Chess. This freedom inplacement 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 inShatranj (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 untilthe first capture).The moves of the pieces come from ancient India. They are those encountered inThailand and Cambodia. The main difference is small and is related to the Pawn promotionwhich 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 twoElephants 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 MyanmarTraditional Chess and we would like to share the beauties of Myanmar Traditional Chess tochess enthusiasts all over the world.Since this e-book version of the srcinal book is in Myanmar language, it cannot meetthe needs of our chess friends from other countries. But it can be a gift for MyanmarTraditional Chess players who are looking for the books of its kind.Thanks shall be given to U Win Aung, Chairman of Myanmar Traditional ChessCommittee, who is trying hard to get the public attention and promoting our traditionalchess. U Thame Zaw is here to include his name for his never-ending love on MyanmarTraditional Chess. Then may I convey the thanks to all the players and friends of MyanmarTraditional Chess for their strong supports.Maung Maung LwinPresidentMyanmar Chess Federation9 th September, 2010.Yangon, MYANMAR.
