ŞAHÎ set monarch/king/shah piece: Gülşah
Gülşah represents the wisdom of the headwrap, the sanctity and authority of the dome, and rose as a symbol of life and beauty, which must be protected from checkmate. The dome draws inspiration from iconic structures like the Hagia Sophia, the Pantheon, and MIT. The headwrap reflects the intellectual legacy of early chess authors, such as As-Suli and Stamma, while the crown resembles the olive wreaths of ancient Olympics. Historically, this piece has been called raja, shah, king, or commander. “Gül” means rose in Central Asian languages. “Şah”, pronounced as ‘Shah’, is the name for chess in many languagues. While shah originally referred to male rules, its metaphorical or modern usehave become gender-neutral.
Description and Heritage
The Gülşah piece features a distinctive headwrap design that honors the intellectual giants of chess history. The headwear is modeled after the traditional turbans worn by figures like the medieval master as-Suli and Philipp Stamma, the 18th-century master and royal translator. Born in Aleppo and active in the major intellectual hubs of London and Paris, Stamma was a truly multicultural figure whose work as an interpreter for the British state and his pioneering chess notation systems bridged Eastern and Western traditions. This design imbues the piece with a sense of profound wisdom and scholarly authority.
Enlightenment Heritage
The Régence Legacy in the Şahî Set
The French Régence set symbolizes the Enlightenment, an era defined by reason and the pursuit of knowledge. Played by historical giants such as Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the master Philidor at the famed Café de la Régence, this set became the standard for intellectual competition. The Şahî chess set intentionally preserves this heritage. By drawing inspiration from the floral motifs of the Régence King for the Gülşah piece, the Şahî set bridges 18th-century European elegance with the deep scholarly traditions of the East, honoring the masters who defined the game’s golden age.
