Zilatran Chess

Zilatran Chess, natively known to the region as Katruji (ka.'tɾu.ʒi), is a popular two-player board game played throughout Zilatra and surrounding countries. It is frequently played competitively as a sport. It is arguably the most popular board game in the history of Stoneworks.
The goal is generally to obtain more points then your opponent - done by taking the opponent's pieces - before the match is ended. The round can be ended in one of three different ways, resulting in victory for whoever has more points. A website for the game was created by Xemon Ronango'O, found here.
Despite the common name of the sport, it has little functionally in common with typical Chess.
===History===
The modern game is derived from Kisz Uczi (kiʃ 'u.t̠ʃi), meaning "Betrayed Eight."). It was played throughout the Baszku Kingdoms for centuries and was played on a 4x4 board whereby two players would take the other's pieces by taking their spot. Follow the chaos of Iristor's Comet and the introduction of Eldhamite refugees creating modern-day Zilatra, the game took heavily inspiration from a game called Larian Chess. This is the common game of chess known today.
Both Larian Chess and Kisz Uczi would combine characteristics to form the modern game of Katruji. The game is first attested being played in the in the city of Lasaji, within Zilatra in a rulebook authored by the politician Alexejev Maksim.
The game quickly exploded in popularity thereafter, with outreach even into Sentara, Azeraan, Ischanor, and Adramis. Tournaments would quickly draw public attention, bringing Katruji into the spotlight.
In Ischanor, the sport is sometimes called Catroexa, which is the Herlundian word for Katruji.
In Azeraan, the sport may be called Cicaxcaiaxceici Chicuei in the Huitcatl language, or Sekiz Khıyanat Qildi in Kharakese.
File:Katrujiahudenyaatabta.png|A Katruji board in the Ahudenya Atabta, a large theater in the city of Lasaji.
File:Katrujiyayala.png|A Katruji board in the city of Drudakroz, part of Yayala.
File:Herlundychess.png|Catroexa/Katruji board in a public square in Herlundy.
File:Gaszalasikatruji.png|A Katruji board in the city square of Gaszalasi, this specific board does not feature an Uczuda, instead using different colored Hajat.
File:Realworldkatruji.png|Two people playing an impromptu game of Katruji on a physical board.
File:Katrujiaephica.png|A Katruji board in the city of Aephica, in the nation of Latria.
==== Notable Players ====
* Ivan Luminov
* Hisoka of Transaria - First Grandmaster
* Katia Maksim-Mikhaylova - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
* Kellä Cabrä Silunè Nikola - Attendant at First Maxim Bell and First Killed From Katruji
* Yumiko Ulanov - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
* Alexejev Maksim - Developer of Katruji, Organizer of Maxim Bell, and Undefeated 
* Rit'zak Kerexon - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
* Mobshu of Harjuba - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
* Toku'aui Ronango'O - Attendant at First Maxim Bell and Scored The Lowest In a Competitive Game 
* Dusker Nieve - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
* Zaaki si Taqaden - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
* Ahudenya si Dal - Organizer of First Maxim Bell tournament
* Zlatan Vesvid - Attendant at First Maxim Bell
===Rules===
====Setup====
Katruji is played on a 9x4 board, where one row in the center goes unused called the Pickett Line (Uczuda). On either side of the Uczuda is a Zone (Hajat). In a traditional game, there are two players who each own a Hajat, i.e. one side of the board.
There are several types of "pieces" ("duyuga"), of which each starting player begins with nine. There are three of each type of Duyuga on each side of the board. These include the following:
*Private (Hutu), typically represented by buttons in game. Also sometimes called the Pawn or Button.
*Sergeant (Ali), typically represented by lightning rods in game, or sometimes fence posts. Also sometimes called the Rod, Stick, or Rook.
*Officer (Isza), typically represented by walls in game. Also sometimes called the Wall or Queen.
====Movement====
A piece/duyuga must be moved once per turn, with turns going between two opposing players. If moving in the direction on the opposing Hajat, the piece will never land in the Uczuda, and instead simply move into the opposing Hajat as if the squares were touching. The Uczuda exists solely to signify the two different Hajats. The individual pieces move in the following ways:
Piece / Duyuga	Movement 	Sample Image	Block
Private / Hutu	Can move solely diagonally within the range of one square. 	 	Typically represented by buttons
Sergeant / Ali	Can move in a straight horizontal line within the range of two squares. Cannot move through/hop over other pieces, potentially limiting the range on a full board. 	 	Typically represented by lightning rods or fence posts
Officer / Isza	Can move either horizontally or diagonally with no limits to its range. However, it cannot move through/hop over other pieces, potentially limiting the range on a full board.	 	Typically represented by walls
====Ownership====
The owner of a Hajat (one side of the board), no matter what, owns every single piece/duyuga in their Hajat. If you move your piece into another Hajat, you will no longer be able to use that piece in future turns, and can be used against you by the opposing Hajat owner in future turns. 
If one player moves a piece across the Uczuda, the player cannot move that piece back to its original spot in the following turn. This move is called a "Take-Back" and is illegal.
==== Promotion ====
If a player has no Officers in their Hajat, they can create a new one by moving a Sergeant into a Private's area of potential movement and merging them. The same can be done if a player has no Sergeants in their Hajat, by merging two Privates. 
====Goals and Checkmate====
The goal of the game is score as many points as possible. Capturing opponent pieces from one zone to an opponent's zone earns points added to your total score. Private is 1 point, Sergeant is 2 points, Officer is 3 points. If one side reaches 18 points wins instantly, as it impossible for the other player to win mathematically. This phenomenon is known as a Victory by Yara.
Another way the game ends is when one player's Hajat is empty. A player can end the game by moving their last piece across the Uczuda, this move is called a Yemubus. The player with the most points wins, or the player who played Yemubus wins if scores are tied.
If no pieces are captured within 7 moves, the Law of Stalemate is enacted by a player's command - commonly by stating "Kyan A-Alka". A metaphorical clock starts and if no pieces are captured after 3 moves, the match ends. If a piece is captured, the 3 moves limit resets. After 3 moves, players count points, with the highest score winning. If tied, the player who enacted the Law of Stalemate wins. Other match-ending conditions, such as a Yemubus or a Yara, also end the game instantly. 
Chanting "Yemubus!", "Yara!", or "Alka!" at the end of a match often marks the end of the game, and is sometimes done symbolically across Abexilas.
Type of Ending 	Meaning
Yara (Mercy) 	One player has reached a total of eighteen points, meaning it is mathematically impossible for the opponent to win.
Yemubus (Last One Gone)	One player has an empty Hajat/Zone with no pieces left. The player with the most points wins.
Alka (Clock) 	No pieces have been taken after the set amount of turns following the clock being started. The player with the most points wins.
=== Variants ===
==== Qabul (Katruji in a Barrel) ====
This variant has identical rules and gameplay to standard Katruji which is played on a physical board. Qabul ('kwa.bul) however is typically played in a barrel. It is generally seen as a more private way to play since there's generally no spectators, often being done as practice.
Unlike in most traditional Katruji boards, Qabul boards often have a color-coded Hajat, typically represented by dye or the blocks outlining the Hajat in the barrel. Qabul boards are also horizontally oriented as opposed to vertically oriented because of the layout of barrels.
=== Tournaments ===
==== Competitive Katruji ====
It is rather common for Katruji to be played in large competitive levels, typically in tournament styles. 
In this format, the one to make the first move is often done via a coin flip. In these large formats, which often last numerous hours, players may be allowed to forfeit, which is typically included under Yara, with the traditional Yara rule of achieving eighteen points being known as Pure Yara. The very first tournament to be created was the Maxim Bell, hosted in the city of Lasaji where the game originated.
==== Grandmasters ====
World champions of Katruji are generally called Grandmasters. Those who win massive tournaments are often bestowed this title. Notable Grandmasters of the game include the following:
* Hisoka of Transaria, winner of the First Maxim Bell
File:Hisokawinning.png|Hisoka of Transaria winning the First Maxim Bell, becoming the first Katruji Grandmaster.
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Category:Abexilas
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