My New Variant Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb-lm6a8XZo0eqAhfR4QWOg

A good overview of Shatranj, ElephantHistorian, and also the names of the pieces.  In fact, I didn't know of the chess variant where the Shah (Persian king) and Wazīr (counsellor or advisor) exchange places on one side of the board.  Good to learn something new.

You mentioned chess problems or mansūbāt, and not to be too forward you might consider telling the tale of the famous mansūbā involving the Dilārām Problem for your next video.  Oh, and please don't give any quarter to the ignorant PC crowd when you do.

Although you may not need it, here is a link that may help with the story and its embellishment.

@fightingbob I didn't know you were a Shatranj enthusiast! Thanks so much for the feedback! I was planning on making a follow up video on that topic anyway, but you've inspired me to get it done soon!  If you are interested in chess variants I run a forum that I think you would enjoy at chessvariantforum.createaforum.com Additionally, do you know where I can find a slotted travel wallet leather set with celluloid pieces? (You know the type!)

Also, I just was wondering what you meant by "giving quarter to the ignorant PC crowd."

Thanks!

You might say I'm an enthusiast about the history of the game from Chaturanga on, so I should have known about the kings and queens not facing one another.  I must have skipped that chapter in Murray's History.

I know a few chess variants like giveaway chess and the barest minimum about Courier chess shown in van Leyden's famous painting The Chess Players, but that's about it.  I'm still trying to become competent at the traditional game.

If you are interested in a vintage slotted, leather wallet set you'll have to search eBay or auction houses.  I thought if you wanted a contemporary one you could buy the Passport Travel Chess Set from USCF Sales or House of Staunton, but I just discovered it is no longer available.  Click on this Chess.com thread and scroll down to Post #11 for a view of The Transport.  You may also be interested in Post #17 in the same thread.

When I searched for slotted sets on eBay all that's displayed are large demonstration sets.  If you're willing to settle for an elite magnetic pocket set, I'd go with Chess Mate; however, they are expensive.  Oh no, looks like they've been bought out by The Thinket.  Now I wonder if the quality will slip.  I'm sorry I could not be of more help.

Regarding my comment "giving quarter to the ignorant PC crowd," I was referring to the story where a nobleman stakes his favorite wife, Dilārām, on a chess game.  Of course, it is Dilārām who tells her nobleman husband how to win the game, so that ought to please the literal-minded feminists. (ha ha)  In a time when Mozart's opera Così fan tutte can be labeled misogynist, then you have to wonder what these ideologues ignorant of literature and history would say of the story of Dilārām or the classic Persian tale Scheherazade.