The Forgotten Game of Liubo: Uncovering a 2,000 Year Old Chess Relative The discovery of a 2,000 year old "chessboard" in Shaanxi Province has sent shockwaves through the archaeological community and sparked renewed interest in the forgotten game of Liubo.
This ancient board game, played by both royals and commoners during the Western Han dynasty (202 BC–9 AD), is considered a precursor to Chinese chess.
Liubo was once a popular activity among intellectuals, with intricate strategies and rules making it an elite pursuit.