The Traditional Board Game Series Leaflet #38: T'shu-p'u

T'SHU-P'U
by Damian Walker
FURTHER INFORMATION
Information on this game in printed works is scant. Botermans (see below)
has the most complete information, but still lacks some detail. Books that
mention the game include the following.
Bell, R. C. Board and Table Games from Many Civilizations, vol. i p.
42. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1979.
Botermans, J. et al. The World of Games, pp. 35-37. New York: Facts
on File, Inc., 1989.
Murray, H. J. R. A History of Board-Games Other Than Chess, p. 36.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1952.
Parlett, D. The Oxford History of Board Games, p. 43. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1999.
Copyright © Damian Walker 2011 - http://boardgames.cyningstan.org.uk/

Board Games at CYNINGSTAN

Traditional Board Game Series
(Second Edition)
4 Leaflet #38
 The Traditional Board Game Series Leaflet #38: T'shu-p'u The Traditional Board Game Series Leaflet #38: T'shu-p'u

moves one or two of his pieces may land on the central square
INTRODUCTION & HISTORY around the edge of the board in an without hitting or being hit by en-
T’shu-p’u is a race game played on that the game was introduced in anti-clockwise direction indicated in emy pieces.
a small cross-shaped board. It is a about 2300 B.C., but the game is Illustration 2, according to the 10. A player with a piece in
Chinese version of the various not really this old. A more recent throw of the dice: hand may re-enter it onto the board
cross-shaped race games played in Chinese source, dated to the Sung (i). one piece can be moved via the starting square, according to
India, and is very old. It is a part- dynasty (A.D. 960 to 1279) says the around the course the total number the throw of the dice on his own
nership game, where four players game was introduced to China from of squares shown on the two dice; turn:
compete in two teams of two. India between A.D. 220 and 265. It (ii). alternatively, the value (i). for instance, with a throw of
Some Chinese sources claim was popular until about A.D. 1000. shown on each die can be used to 1 the piece is placed on the starting
move a separate piece by the indic- square;
HOW TO PLAY ated number of spaces. (ii). with a throw of 3 the piece
There is some disagreement among arms formed of nine squares, ar- 6. The central square may only is advanced to the first cross-cut
various books about exactly how rayed three by three. Squares in the be entered by an exact throw. square in its course, and so on.
t’shu-p’u is played. As the game is edges of each arm are given cross- Capturing Enemies Winning the Game
a member of the Indian chaupar cut markings: see Illustration 1.
family, some rules of chaupar have 3. Each player has four pieces 7. If a player lands his piece on 11. During his move a player
been adopted when it is unclear of his own colour, starting on the a square occupied by one or more may use a throw of 1 to bear a piece
how the rule should stand in t’shu- central square of his end of the enemy pieces, those pieces are hit off from the central square. It has
p’u. cross as shown in Illustration 1. and taken into their owners’ hands. then completed its course and is re-
There are two four-sided dice, 8. A player cannot land on a moved from the game.
Setting up the Game cross-cut square if 12. A team
numbered 1, 3, 4 and 6.
1. T’shu-p’u 4. Players de- there are any en- wins all of its
is played by four cide by agreement emy pieces upon pieces have been
players in two or at random who it. borne off the
teams. Red and starts the game. 9. All players board.
green players op- Play then proceeds
pose yellow and clockwise around
black. The mem- the board.
bers of each team
Moving the
sit opposite one
Pieces
another.
2. The board 5. A player
is a cross with one begins his turn by Illustration 2: the point of entry and
large square in the throwing the two direction of movement for the south player.
centre, and the Illustration 1: t’shu-p’u with the pieces set
out for play.
dice. He then Other players’ paths are rotated so the point
of entry is at their own side of the board.

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