Starting Arrays
The eight elemental tablets that define initial piece placement
In Enochian Chess, the initial arrangement of pieces is determined by Starting Arrays — configurations based on the four elemental tablets described by Zalewski.
Each array defines:
- Which army occupies each edge of the board
- The turn order (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
- Throne positions
- Piece placements, including diagonal network assignments
The Eight Tablets
Historical sources document eight arrays, each associated with an elemental combination:
| Tablet | Element | Turn Order | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 🔥 Fire of Fire | Blue → Red → Black → Yellow | ✅ Implemented |
| Water | 💧 Water of Water | Blue → Black → Yellow → Red | 📝 Documented |
| Air | 💨 Air of Air | Red → Yellow → Black → Blue | 📝 Documented |
| Earth | 🌍 Earth of Earth | Yellow → Blue → Red → Black | 📝 Documented |
Work in Progress
The engine currently implements the Tablet of Fire in full. The remaining seven tablets are defined as placeholders awaiting transcription from the original Zalewski diagrams.
Understanding the Layout
Unlike standard chess where two armies face each other across the board, Enochian Chess places four armies on all four edges:
- Blue (South) — Ranks 1-2
- Red (East) — Files g-h (rotated 90°)
- Black (North) — Ranks 7-8
- Yellow (West) — Files a-b (rotated 90°)
This means Red and Yellow pawns move sideways (west and east respectively), not up the board!