Kasimala

KASIMALA is one of the most popular ancient game of Nepal. It is mostly played in Newar community of Kathmandu valley. The game is very much similar to Ludo Board Game. The board is divided into 17 equal vertical blocks which are further divided into 3 horizontal blocks as shown in figure. In the middle row, there are 5 safe blocks marked with stars.

Each player has 17 pieces to move on their side. Four bamboo stripe pieces are used to roll for number. The number of steps to be taken will be determined by the number produced by the roll of the bamboo stripes. The five possible outcomes are Kasi (1), Dwadi (2), Sudi (3), Chya (4) and Ngha (5).

Each player will get turn to throw the bamboo stripes. The turn continues if the player gets chya (4) or ngha (5). The game pieces shall only be allowed to moved once the player rolls for 'kasi' (1). Once the player piece gets in stars, the player will capture the star. So opponent player won't be able to move his piece to that star. But if a player's piece moves to the block with opponent's player piece, the opponent player piece is sent out of the board.

In this way the game is played on and finally the player who becomes able to send all the opponent player's piece out of the board will win the game.