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Chaturanga. The first known variant of chess. (8x8, Cells: 64) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]

Jason L. wrote on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 07:50 PM UTC:

http://history.chess.free.fr/papers/Banaschak%201997.pdf

Here is a good paper from a German researcher that has a strong usage of
Chinese to actually examine the origin of Xiangqi directly.

The author has been quoted as disputing David Li's theory of Xiangqi
coming specifically from a general from the end of the Warring States
Period and does not necessarily subscribe to any particular theory.

Unfortunately, Banaschak is misquoted in places as a researcher who is
disputing that Xiangqi has a Chinese origin. This is certainly not his
position. He is simply disputing David Li's theory and not that Xiangqi
has a Chinese origin.

From his paper, it looks as if he personally believes that Xiangqi has a
Chinese origin, but concludes there is not enough evidence to prove any of
the possible theories of its origin but believes that future archeological
findings could support one theory or another.