bagh-chal

Bagh-chal, meaning tiger-moving game in Nepali, is a traditional asymmetric board game originating from the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. It is played on a five-by-five grid and represents a classic hunt-and-capture dynamic, where one player controls four tigers aiming to trap twenty goats, while the other player maneuvers the goats to block or surround the tigers. The game has been a staple of Nepalese social life for centuries, often played outdoors on grids carved directly into stone surfaces in public spaces.

The design of the game is rooted in functional simplicity, typically featuring a geometric board that balances the superior mobility of the tigers against the numerical advantage of the goats. While it lacks a singular attributed designer, its enduring popularity stems from its tactical depth and cultural significance as an indigenous Nepalese pastime. It remains widely recognized both as a piece of heritage and a common tabletop game, often produced for tourists and collectors in carved wood or brass variations that honor its historical form.