A very similar but more skilful, complex and may be a little older than Pachisi, a game called Chausar, Chaupar or Chaupad is also popular among Indians. In this game, three long dice are used instead of cowry shells and there are no graces or extra throws. Also, castle squares are absent or, if played upon a Pachisi board, are ignored. Pieces start on specific squares instead of the Charkoni although captured pieces are returned to the Charkoni. To prepare to start the game, position each set of four pieces on squares 6, 7, 23 and 24 from the Charkoni.
Pieces can be melded together to form a "super-pieces". If two pieces of the same shade, land on the same space, then those pieces are lumped together and thereafter play as a single piece with double the power. Triple and quadruple pieces can be formed in the same way. Thus accumulated pieces move using the throw of the dice as if they were a single piece. However, a double piece can only be captured by a double, triple or quadruple piece, a triple piece is only vulnerable to a triple or quadruple piece and a quadruple piece can only be captured by another quadruple piece. As in Pachisi, an exact throw is required for a piece to get home. All the blacks must be got home before a yellow piece can go home. All the reds must be got home before a green piece can go home.
