Who Banasura is
Banasura, eldest son of Mahabali, was a thousand-armed asura king of Shonitapura and a devoted worshipper of Shiva, who promised to protect his city. His daughter Usha dreamed of a prince and, with the help of her friend Chitralekha, had Krishna's grandson Aniruddha brought to her secretly. Bana imprisoned Aniruddha, and Krishna came with the Yadavas to free him. In the great battle Krishna cut away all but four of Bana's arms, and at Shiva's intercession spared his life; Usha and Aniruddha were married.
“A thousand arms, and every one of them will strike.”
How Banasura plays chess
Attacks with every piece at once — a thousand arms — but can be disarmed one limb at a time.
The Classicist: Sound, balanced chess: develops, castles and takes what the position offers.
Opening repertoire: Sicilian, Yugoslav Attack · King's Indian, Mar del Plata · Dutch, Classical
Defeat Banasura in a full game from the normal starting position to earn the achievement Disarmed and open the way to the next guardian.
Sources
- Bhagavata Purana, Book 10, Chapters 62–63
- Harivamsha
Placement on the path reflects chess difficulty only — a game-design choice, not a ranking of anyone's spiritual standing.