Celestial Chess
Les échecs célestes
This game was called al-Falakîya Shatranj, "Celestial" Chess. It was described by both al-Mas'ûdî (10th century) and al-Amulî (14th century). Unfortunately, the description are incomplete and unintelligible (ref: Murray).
DESCRIPTION:
The board had 12 squares corresponding to the number of the constellations of the zodiac, divided into two halves. 7 pieces of different colours move on it, in agreement with the number and colours of the 5 planets and 2 luminaries (Murray, p343)
This description seems related to the game named Escaques which was described in the Spanish codex from Alfonso X in 1283.
OTHER SHATRANJ VARIANTS:
