THE INITIAL SETUP OF


In order, as they stand upon the board in the first row, from left to right of each player:

WARRIOR, PADWAR, DWAR, FLIER or ODWAR, CHIEF, PRINCESS, FLIER or ODWAR, DWAR, PADWAR, WARRIOR.

(The CHIEF and PRINCESS do not directly face their alternates, such as the king and queen of Makruk Thai.)

And in the second row from left to right:

THOAT, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, PANTHAN, THOAT.

(The term ODWAR is used in connection with the FLIER in Chapter XVII during the climactic game of the book. This term is only used by citizens of Manator on Barsoom.)

Here is presented the overall appearance of the initial setup:
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There is no difference between the TEXT and APPENDIX descriptions, thus this is taken as a STRICT rule.

The Orange pieces are given the northern ranks while the Black are arranged on the southern. This is done in memory of these ancient races of Barsoom.

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Addendum 05.25.2003

Another area of contention in the rules has been noted.  In Chapter XVII the Chiefs are located 
directly across from each other at the start of that climatic game, which is similar to European
Chess.  While the specifically stated rules of the initial set-up refer to "each player" when
orienting the ranks, resulting in the Markruk Thai form.  Players may opt to play either form.  
For quick reference, each form can be referred to as "Manatorian" and "Barsoomian" respectfully.

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