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Shako Chess

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description Shako Chess Overview

Shako is a chess variant created by French game designer Jean-Louis Cazaux and first published in 1997. It is played on a 10-by-10 board and expands the standard chess army with two piece types derived from older Asian games: the cannon, which captures by jumping over an intervening piece, and the elephant, which moves two squares diagonally while leaping. The variant is intended for chess players interested in historically inspired pieces and larger-board strategy.

help Shako Chess FAQ

What is Shako Chess and who created it?

Shako is a chess variant created by French game designer Jean-Louis Cazaux and first published in 1997. It uses a 10-by-10 board instead of the standard 8-by-8 board.

Which new pieces does Shako add?

Shako adds the cannon and the elephant to the usual chess army. The cannon is derived from Asian chess traditions and captures by jumping over an intervening piece.

How is Shako different from standard chess?

The larger 10-by-10 board gives each side more room and a larger army. Its cannon and elephant also create tactical patterns that do not occur in orthodox chess.

Is Shako related to Xiangqi or Makruk?

Its cannon is strongly associated with Chinese chess, or Xiangqi, while the elephant reflects older Asian chess traditions. Shako remains a distinct modern variant designed by Jean-Louis Cazaux.

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