Chapter 8: The Check Mate Positions

Many mating patterns can be found in Myanmar Traditional Chess. They were kept in mind and relayed from generation to generation through playing and memorizing. It is a pity not having the records of the game played in the early days of Myanmar history. Some literature works by the famous ancient authors have shown us about Myanmar Traditional Chess being played among the many walks of lives in the respective eras.

 

We have to appreciate the well-done book by Shwe Kyin U Ba in which he tried to introduce the recording of the game and notation system. 

 

 

Mate by rook and king

 

It is necessary to get the support by a piece or pieces to check mate the lonely king. By eliminating and the reducing the movable squares of that king, it is forced to go to the last rank or file where he has to take fully rest. 

 

 

If the king is flanked by the rooks or knights or both which are unable to protect the square just right in front of the king, we can see the beautiful check mate positions shown below. It is also possible to be caught in the corner flanked by a piece of same colour.

 

 

 

Mate by two rooks

 

The power of two rooks is enough to check mate the lonely king without any support from its own king. The check mate position shown below is called “Ra Htar Leim” in Myanmar Tradition Chess terms.

 

 

When two rooks are placed double in the same rank of file, their power is unstoppable. The beautiful check mate position shown below is the example.

 

 

Mate by rook and knight

 

 

When the lonely king reaches the corner square, it is possible to check mate by the knight while the rook restricts the king’s movement.

 

 

 

Mate by rook and elephant

 

Since the elephant has the power to control 3 front squares, it can take the king position to check mate the lonely king as shown below.

 

 

Elephant can also post a check mate on the opponent’s king of standing on the corner square right in front of it with the support by a rook.

 

 

While the opponent king sitting on the last rank square to avoid the elephant’s tusks since the elephant has the weakness of not-able-to-control-the-back-square, the elephant needs the help from the king in order to check mate the opponent king.

 

 

 

Mate by rook and general

 

This position is very simple and similar to the position shown above, just changing the piece: general taking the elephant’s square.

 

 

Mate by elephant and king

 

Being able to control 3 front squares, the elephant can post a check mate position to the opponent king at the last rank by using the tusks. The king must be together with the elephant too.

 

 

 

 

Mate by two elephants

 

Like the two rooks working together, two elephants are very strong while they are in good connection and making a combined attack against the opponent king. Some check mate positions are shown below.

 

 

 

 

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