Kautsa

Who Kautsa is

Kautsa was the pupil of the sage Varatantu, who, when asked what fee he wanted, angrily demanded fourteen crore gold coins — one crore for each branch of learning. Kautsa came to King Raghu just after Raghu had given away everything he owned in a great sacrifice. Rather than send a student away empty-handed, Raghu prepared to march against Kubera, the lord of wealth, who rained gold on the treasury overnight. Raghu urged Kautsa to take it all, but Kautsa took only the fourteen crores he needed.

“I take only what I need. No more, no less.”

How Kautsa plays chess

Takes exactly enough: wins material only as far as it serves the position, never more.

The Classicist: Sound, balanced chess: develops, castles and takes what the position offers.

Opening repertoire: Ruy Lopez, Exchange (Main) · Queen's Gambit Declined, Exchange (Carlsbad, Main) · Scotch, Classical (Main)

Defeat Kautsa in a full game from the normal starting position to earn the achievement Exactly Enough and open the way to the next guardian.

Sources

• Kalidasa, Raghuvamsha, Canto 5

Placement on the path reflects chess difficulty only — a game-design choice, not a ranking of anyone's spiritual standing.