Chapter 39 Section 9 Tibetan Chess

In Tibet, my country, a board game similar to Go has been popular since ancient times, called "Tibetan Chess". Tibetan chess is also called "multi-eye chess" and "multi-eye play".It actually evolved gradually from the ancient Go (17×17 Go).It is basically the same as Go in the rules of moves and grapes.It's just that there are 17 lines vertically and horizontally on the chessboard.In addition, before the game, it is necessary to place six chess pieces on the chessboard in advance according to the fixed cross position, which are called "seats".Other than that, there is no big difference between the two.

In the Himalayan plateau, where there are many peaks, there can be a board game similar to Go, which naturally arouses the interest of chess historians.How did Tibetan chess settle and develop on the plateau?What kind of relationship does it have with Go? There are roughly four theories about the origin of Tibetan chess.The first theory is that it was introduced to Tibet by the Qiang compatriots living in Sichuan and Qinghai during the Han Dynasty; the second theory was introduced to Tibet from ancient India along with Buddhist culture around the Han Dynasty; Invented by myself; the fourth theory was brought to Yunnan by Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period, and then introduced to Tibet from Yunnan.Of these theories, the first and fourth are more likely.It is said that when Zhuge Liang was in Yunnan, in order to increase the fun of Go, he once increased the number of "seats" to 12 "seats" on the basis of the original four "seats".In addition, according to the custom of "singing antiphonally" in the life and work of the ethnic minorities in Yunnan, people like to engage in "tongue warfare" in the form of singing, and stipulates that when playing chess, both sides must also engage in "tongue warfare" to exercise their respective abilities. Eloquence, cultivate the sensitivity of thinking, and enhance the fun of playing chess.Regardless of whether this statement is true or not, in some areas of Tibet, there is indeed a custom of "verbal fighting" when playing chess.

Tibetan chess was mostly popular among the upper Tibetan ruling class in ancient times.There are still people playing this kind of chess in Tibet.In addition, Tibetan chess is also popular in Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and other countries bordering my country.