Limb Chess
This mysterious Shatranj variant was described by al-Mas'udi in the 10th century. Its name was Shatranj al-jawarhiya.
DESCRIPTION:
Unfortunately, only few elements of its description have been recorded. We only know that this Chess was played over a 7x8 board with 6 pieces per side, named accordingly to human anatomy: Tongue / Eye / Ear / Hand / Foot / Heart. They represented the main organs used by our sense to talk, ear, see, catch, walk, all ruled by the heart.
All other rules are lost.
It is not even sure that this game was really a Chess game, as we understand this term today.
If your imagination drives you to propose a playable reconstruction, do contact me!
OTHER SHATRANJ VARIANTS: