The "Affirmative" side carried the debate, according to the voting, 8-2.

For discussion: I wonder what you make of this argument - do things tend to become simplified or more complicated over time?

Chaturanji - 4 players, dice
Chess - 2 players, no dice

or was is clear they were talking about Chataranga? This is a two player game which seems to have faded from sight.

Wikipedia entries are weak on this subject.

I think a stronger argument could have been made for Xiangqi having been the original form of Chess than we saw. It is made here.