Tibetannet

Children play Tibetan chess in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)

Tibetan chess, known as "mimang", is a popular game on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. It is based in the culture of the Bon religion, and is an integral part of Tibetan culture.

Children play Tibetan chess in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)

In Tibetan, "mi" means "eyes" and "mang" means "many".

Children play Tibetan chess in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)

It is similar to Go, or weiqi,and has been played since ancient times.

Tibetan chess has many varieties, including "King and Minister Chess", "Wolf and Sheep Chess" and "Jiu Chess".

Children play Tibetan chess in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)

There are 17 lines crossing at right angles on each side of the Tibetan chess board. Pieces are divided into black and white. The player with the white pieces moves first. The rules are similar to that of Go.

However, Tibetan chess can be played by two, four or six people at a time.

Children play Tibetan chess in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)

Generally, a game takes three or four hours, but some can go a day or a night.

On August 28, the first Tibetan Chess Association was established in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Children play Tibetan chess in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)

It has 100 individual and 20 organization members, all dedicated to the research, preservation, and growth of Tibetan chess.