description Oblong Chess Overview
Oblong Chess is a historical form of shatranj, the predecessor of modern chess, described in medieval Islamic sources. It uses an elongated board of four by sixteen squares, with pieces arranged in a nonstandard setup; in the dice-playing form, the number rolled determines which piece type must move. The game is chiefly relevant to readers studying early chess history, Islamic game traditions, and the development of chess variants on boards other than the familiar eight-by-eight grid. [Encyclopaedia Iranica](https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/chess-a-board-game/?generate_pdf=1)
help Oblong Chess FAQ
What board does Oblong Chess use?
Oblong Chess uses an elongated board measuring four by sixteen squares. That 64-square shape differs from the familiar eight by eight board used in modern chess.
What is Oblong Chess related to?
It is described as a historical form of shatranj, the predecessor of modern chess. Medieval Islamic sources describe the game and its unusual board and setup.
How are the pieces arranged in Oblong Chess?
The pieces use a nonstandard setup suited to the four-by-sixteen board. Details vary according to the historical description, so it should not be assumed to use the modern chess starting position.
How does dice play affect Oblong Chess?
In the dice-playing form, the number rolled determines which type of piece must move. This adds a chance-based rule to a historical chess variant that already differs from modern chess in board shape and setup.
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