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The Courier Game. Description of Courier Chess, with printable pieces and board. (12x8, Cells: 96) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]'ABCLargeCV': Two Couriers move modern-Bishop-like and with Rooks are the strongest pieces. One 'Man' is non-royal King-like mover. One 'Schleich' moves like Wazir (Weijden's 'Spy' of Novo Chess is more interesting). With or without the four-fold assize-mobilization shown in the other Courier Chess link, b-Pawns, i-Pawns, and k-Pawns are all unprotected in initial position. Quelle horreur! Three unguarded Pawns in array against four long-range units! Apparently Courier Chess culture lasted 600+ years.
The Courier Game {which I realize now is ''recognized'' - though I had somehow remained blind to it) appears to be the missing link between Shatranj and modern Chess. This Shatranj Variant was first described in 1202. The rules page states that [the Courier Game was]''played up until the beginning of the 19th century. It was the first popular form of chess to incorporate the piece we now call the 'bishop' though it was then called the 'courier' (hence the name of the game).''
In addition to the rules for this 12 x 8 board game [which includes a ferz, wazir, afil (like the elephant), and man (non-royal King)] as we find in Shatranj, the author has included a printable cutout board and pieces.
This is a great historical page. Well done.2 comments displayed
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