VietNamNet Bridge – With a great aspiration for creating new things, Do Nhu Ngon from Dong Ket Commune in the northern province of Hung Yen successfully turned out a new chess playing style called thuong truong (business world).

Do Nhu Ngon from the northern province of Hung Yen instructs people how play his business world chess

In 2012, to make a new game for his newly born nephew, Ngon, born in 1983, wanted to create a game helpful for children’s mind. Then, he spent more time learning about 20 chess playing styles in Vietnam and in the world to teach his nephew. That was also when he initiated his own kind of chess and the young man started to work on this idea in early 2013.

Emotion and experience

“During the time of making this kind of chess, many people describe me as an idle man,” Ngon told the Daily. However, his great effort paid off earlier this year when he introduced his chess to the surprise of many people. He then received a certificate of copyright for his business world chess.

According to Ngon, the chess set reflects his life with lots of up-and-down experiences. “I hope people can understand values of life whenever they play this chess set. To have a rich and happy life, firstly we have to contribute as giving away is receiving in return. Secondly, we need to learn how to cooperate and unite with everyone,” he added.

The set has a chessboard and chess pieces closely attached to the history of Vietnam. The board has 108 rows divided into three parts of 36 rows with each featuring the images of bamboo trees, bronze drums and lotus flowers.

Furthermore, three parts of the chessboard represent three phases of one’s life, including childhood, school years and adult life. These parts which are beautifully and lively decorated attract players for its multiple playing methods.

On top of the board are rows for five tigers which symbolize the patriotism and power of youth.

There are rows of four precious carps symbolizing start-up time. Ngon means that people who wish to be successful must have great determination and aspiration like a carp in the local folk story “Ca chep hoa rong” (a carp transforming into a dragon).

There are pearl male and female pieces which are the most important things in a board representing the masses. Final rows will be two collections of four sacred animals, including dragon, unicorn, turtle and phoenix representing organizations, companies and successful people.

“Once looking at this chessboard people can see a miniature of Vietnam where organizations, businesses and successful people stand behind to support the community and youth,” he added.

New and simple playing style

According to Ngon, those who know how to play chess, Shogi, Janggi or Gothic will find it’s simpler to use thuong truong chess.

Specifically, people can move a tiger piece and take another two pieces in an upper row and a horizontal row. Players who place their chess piece to the last tiger in a horizontal row will receive the title of the most powerful tigers.

With this title people can take any two pieces on the horizontal and vertical rows. A dragon piece can take others in vertical, horizontal and crossed rows, the same rule to a queen piece. A unicorn piece can move and take all items around it and in a crossed line. A turtle piece can take pieces in an L shape, the same to a knight piece found in normal chess.

Phoenix pieces are governed by the same rules to dragon ones. A carp piece can take other three pieces in front of it. When coming to the final row, a crap piece will be promoted to a dragon. The game will end when one player receives a pearl male or female piece.    

SGT/VNN