EPISODE · Aug 7, 2026 · 8 MIN
Tamerlane's Chess Obsession: The Game of Kings
from Tamerlane: The Conqueror Who Tried to Rebuild the Mongol Legacy — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In this episode, we explore Tamerlane's passion for chess, a game he loved so much that he invented his own variant. We discuss the historical evidence for his play, from Ibn Arabshah's biography to the Timurid court's patronage of the game. We examine the rules of Tamerlane chess, its ten-by-eleven board, and the new pieces like the camel, the giraffe, and the war machine. We consider how the game mirrored his military campaigns and his strategic genius. We also reflect on the legacy of his variant, which influenced chess in Persia and India, and how it connects to his broader cultural ambitions. Join us as we uncover a personal side of the conqueror that reveals his intellect and his love for the game of kings. #Tamerlane #Chess #Timurid #CentralAsia #Samarkand #IbnArabshah #Shatranj #GameOfKings #Strategy #Mongol #PersianChess #BoardGame #History #FexingoHistory #CulturalHistory #IntellectualHistory #RoyalCourt #MedievalChess Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
Embed this episode
Ready to play
Tamerlane's Chess Obsession: The Game of Kings
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.