Senet Egyptian Chess

Ancient Egyptian Game – Senet – A Board Game from 3200 BC

A timelessly classic game of ancient origins, Senet boasts remarkably simple rules readily available online. Legend holds that this Egyptian game served as a tool to assess the intellect and wisdom of leaders. Challenge yourself! This two-player game feels remarkably similar to a two-player version of Sorry!, as you will discover upon playing.

Game rules reference: https://www.bilibili.com/opus/817402765439401992

The complete set includes a game box, fourteen playing pieces, and four game sticks (functioning as dice). The box lid serves as the game board; you may print only the lid for use as the board, combining it with the pieces and sticks. It also makes a delightful decorative piece for the home.

In the renowned tomb of the youthful PharaohTutankhamun, archaeologists unearthed Senet sets used as funerary objects. “Senet” itself signifies “passing through,” “passing over,” reflecting its design as a representation of the deceased's journey to the underworld. Legend recounts a contest between Khonsu, the moon god of the Theban triad, and Thoth, the god of wisdom, played with Senet, the stakes being Khonsu’s light. Thoth prevailed, thus limiting Khonsu's radiance to only the full moon. The original rules remain elusive, with current rules reconstructed by board game scholars such as Robert Charles Bell (1917–2002). Dedicated societies organize regular tournaments.

Senet was an exceedingly popular board game in ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun’s tomb contained as many as six sets, including Senet. Gameplay involves using four oblong sticks to generate numbers based on their orientation; pieces then advance across a thirty-square board according to established rules. The first player to reach the finish line secures victory.