Shanta

Who Shanta is

Shanta was the princess of Anga — the daughter of King Romapada in the Valmiki Ramayana, and in later tradition Dasharatha's own daughter given to his friend Romapada to raise. When Anga suffered a terrible drought, the sage Rishyashringa was brought to the kingdom, and rain fell at once. Shanta was married to him, and their union led to the sacrifice by which King Dasharatha was blessed with four sons.

“A dry board is a sad board. Let us bring some rain.”

How Shanta plays chess

Brings relief: turns dry, stuck positions into flowing, lively play.

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

Opening repertoire: English, Reversed Dragon · Scotch, Mieses (Main) · Two Knights, Open

Defeat Shanta in a full game from the normal starting position to earn the achievement The Drought Ended and open the way to the next guardian.

Sources

• Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda
• Later Ramayana traditions

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