John Gollon's Variation Four, at least, though apparently known from a
Turkish source, is just as apparently not purely Turkish, since "raja"
and "rani" are Indian words and "shahzadeh" is Persian.
Setup
Variation Four is played on a board fourteen squares by fourteen,
uncheckered. (Shown checked here for clarity. --Ed.)
The raja, or king, starts on H1 and G14, and moves as the king (there is
no castling).
The rani, or queen, starts on I1 and F14. It moves one square in any
direction, but may be placed or left en prise.
The shahzadeh, or prince, starts on F1 and I14, and moves as bishop or
rook.
The wazir, or vizir, or minister, starts on G1 and H14, and also moves as
bishop or rook.
The fil, or elephant, starts on E1, J1, E14, and J14, and moves as the
bishop.
The ratha, or chariot, starts on D1, K1, D14, and K14, and moves as the
rook.
The dahja, or standard, starts on C1, L1, C14, and L14, and moves as the
bishop.
The ghora, or horse, starts on B1, M1, B14, and M14, and moves as the
knight.
The rook starts on A1, N1, A14, and N14.
Pawns fill the whole of the second and thirteenth ranks. They have
no multiple moves, and on reaching the last rank of the board are promoted
to wazir.
Rules
The rules on stalemate and bare king are unknown.
Computer Play
You can also play this game by email,
using the web-based Play by Mail system at the link below.
Credits
Play by Mail preset and Chess board
illustration made using the Play by Mail system, by Tony
Quintanilla.
