Chadarangam is a Telugu version of Indian chess, Chaturanga. It became very famous among kings and courtesans. Previously chariots were used in warfare, but in medieval times chariots were replaced by camels. So, the bishop in olden days was called Ratha / Śakaṭa and in medieval ages was called Oṣṭra.
Etymology
This name may be derived from the SanskritwordChaturanga or Persian word Chatrang. The Sanskrit word Chaturanga has a direct meaning "having four limbs". But in a military context it has meaning "an entire army ".
Their movements are designed accordingly in the Chadarangam as:
Rāju moves orthogonally or diagonally only one square at a time.
Mantri moves orthogonally or diagonally, any number of squares.
Śakaṭamu/Śagaṭu moves diagonally any number of squares and thus is colorbound.
Gurramu normal "L" shaped jumping move. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces.
Enugu moves orthogonally to the players any number of squares.
Banṭu/Bhatudu moves one space straightforward. On its first move it can optionally move two spaces forward. If there is an enemy piece diagonally one space in front of the pawn, the pawn may move diagonally to capture that piece.
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Significance
The position and movements of pieces correctly suit the reality of Indian warfare:
Rāju is the most powerful, but often won't come into action unlessrequired. The knight-move of a king resembles the escape of a king for a safer location at the most crucial time in warfare.
Mantri is the next most powerful person in an Indian empire/kingdom. Though the king only passes the decrees, actually it is the Prime Minister who actually decides all kinds of acts and strategies that are required for the welfare of the king/kingdom.
Śakaṭamu is known for their famous zig-zag movements while attacking. Often the opponent doesn't take into consideration the presence of chariots which in turn give stunning, often devastating blows in Indian warfare.
Gurramu is known for its irregular jumping movements which often keeps the opponent in a dilemma for a moment. Even in the game it is the Gurramu that has a greater number of moves than any other piece.
Enugu is known for straightforward devastating attacks. Often the opponent knows its advance but cannot escape. In olden days Enugu played a very important role in scattering the army of an enemy, thereby making them deviate from their strategic movements.
Banṭu is a piece with lowest significance though larger in number than any other piece. But when a Banṭu reaches the other end, then the honour of that position, except that of Rāju, is given in traditional Indian chess. Surprisingly, it is similar to the honouring of a soldier for having fought exceptionally well in a war, by a king.
Some important rules
Always the white king should be on a black square and the black king should be on a white square.
Though defeating the opponent is main aim, honouring the opponent's king is also very important. I.e., the game becomes very complex, if all the king's premier army is killed without using good strategy.
Either checkmate or stalemate is considered a win. In other cases, it is considered as a draw.
