Astronomical chess
Astronomical chess or Astrological chess[1] for seven is a game from the book Libro de los Juegos[2] (Book of Games), written under king Alfonso X the Wise in 1283. The game was played on a round board with concentric circles. The sky, zodiac signs and planets are the elements of this chess. The book described the games and problems of playing situations in chess, dice and other board games that formed the basis of modern backgammon.
In some sources astronomical chess is called the "Zodiac". Despite the name, the game is a dice game that has nothing to do with chess.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Moll (ArnieChipmunk), Arne (October 2009). "Valencia lectures part 1: King Alfonso's Book of Games". Chess.com.
- ^ Zischkin, Theresa (2 May 2018). "Alfonso X's Libro de los Juegos". Thinking 3D.
- ^ Parlett, David (1999). The Oxford History of Board Games. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192129987.