﻿492 ON THE BURMHA 



The Biirmha name for the game of chess is chit- 

 tha-rttri, d term applied by them either to a genera- 

 liiisinio, or warfare ; an etymologist perhaps might 

 trare.it as, a corruption of the Sanscrit Cha-tur-ariga. 



The annexed drawing and diagram will best ex- 

 pl:dn the form of the pieces, &c. and ordinary array 

 of the battalia. 



No. I. Ming, or the king, has the same moves 

 and po'-ers as in the Engiisli game, except that he 

 cannot castle, neither do they admit of v/hat we call 

 stale mate. 



No 2. Chekoy, or sub-general; he moves diago- 

 nally eiiher way in advance oi retrograde, but limit- 

 ed to one check or step at a move. 



No. :'i. 3. Rufha, war chariot ; they have exactly 

 the same moves and powers as the Eng'ish castle or 

 rook. 



No. 4. 4. C/ze/>?, elephants ; tliey have five distinct 

 moves; direct 1. diagonal in advance 2. diagonal 

 retrograde '2. but linnted to one check or stcj) at a 

 niove ; they slay diagonally only; the move direct 

 in advance being"»only intended to alter the line of 

 their operations, so that they may occasionally have 

 the powers of our king's or queen's bishop. 



No. 5. 5. 3Ihee, cavalry; they have exactly the 

 same moves and powers as in the English game. 



No. 6. G. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. G. Yein, or foot soldiers ; 

 they have the same moves and powers as in the Eng- 

 lish game, except that they are limited to one check 

 or step at a move, and that the right-hand pieces 

 only are susceptible of promotion to the rank of che- 

 koy, (in the event of his being taken.) It is not 

 necessary for this promotion that they should have 

 advanced to the last row of the adversary's checks, 

 but to that check which is in a diagonal line with 

 the left-hand check in the last row of the adversary's 

 section ; consecpiently the right hand pawn or yein, 

 according to the diagram, will have to advance four 

 steps to obtain the rank of chekoy ; the 2d yein 3. 



steps ; 



