Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2017 January 18

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January 18

Traditional chesses

How many Western chess players? What traditional chesses have very many players? I think Xiangqi and Shogi? Also what make a game a traditional chess? Example why Go is not a traditional chess? --Curious Cat On Her Last Life (talk) 10:11, 18 January 2017 (UTC)

All the chess variants feature a number of different pieces on each side, each with different movements and powers. They're all believed to be based on the ancient Indian game chaturanga. Go is completely different, with only one type of piece that doesn't move at all once it's been placed. Rojomoke (talk) 10:26, 18 January 2017 (UTC)

Thanks. I think chess variants are example Chess960 not traditional chesses? What traditional chesses have very many players? --Curious Cat On Her Last Life (talk) 09:20, 19 January 2017 (UTC)

Probably xiangqi and shogi, which have the most literature? Double sharp (talk) 10:18, 19 January 2017 (UTC)

How many players? --Curious Cat On Her Last Life (talk) 15:54, 22 January 2017 (UTC)

I would be surprised if anyone knew. It's not even known for chess, despite various made-up figures sometimes being thrown around. Double sharp (talk) 16:14, 22 January 2017 (UTC)