capture. The object of the game is to checkmate the opponent. A king denuded of all pieces (excluding pawns) cannot be mated; the game is drawn. A king with only a single piece supporting him (again excluding pawns) can only be mated before that piece has moved seven times, or else the game is drawn. Game flow Start game Werera (mobilization or marshalling) phase: both players move piece(s) together at every step, until there is any piece captured First piece captured, werera ends Players move pieces by turns, until either: One side win the game, in case of the opponent's king is being checkmated under the opponent has any pieces of ferz/alfil(s)/horse(s)/rook(s) still alive Game drawn, in case of the opponent remains king and pawns only (or fits other house rules) End game Customs Traditionally, the board is not checkered, merely marked into squares; it is usually a red cloth, marked by strips of black or blue. The play is much more sociable than is usual in Western chess, with all the bystanders (even, formerly, slaves) calling out their notions of useful plays and moving the pieces about to demonstrate. The customs surrounding checkmate are numerous. Dealing the fatal blow with a rook or knight is considered inartistic. Delivering the fatal stroke with a ferz or fil is more respectable; with a combination of pawns, even more praiseworthy. References External links Senterej, the Ethiopian Chess Senterej – Ethiopian chess with a flying start by Dr. René Gralla A Note on Ethiopian Chess by Dr. Richard Pankhurst Kaiserin setzte ein Korps matt (Neues Deutschland) Ethiopian Chess a simple program by Ed Friedlander (Java) Games related to chaturanga Chess in Ethiopia Ethiopian culture Chess in Eritrea Eritrean culture