Old Chess-Like Game with Arrow-Marked Squares: Likely Shatranj or Teaching Set

You're likely describing Shatranj — the Persian/Arabic predecessor to chess (7th–15th century), or a pedagogical variant.

Shatranj Basics

• Origin: India (Chaturanga) → Persia (Chatrang) → Arab world (Shatranj) → Europe.
• Pieces: Shah (King), Firzān (Counselor/weak Queen), Fīl (Elephant/Bishop), Faras (Horse/Knight), Rukh (Chariot/Rook), Baidaq (Pawn).
• Movement: Faras = modern Knight; Fīl = 2 squares diagonal jump; Firzān = 1 square diagonal; Baidaq = no double-step, no en passant.
• Board: 8×8 uncheckered (often); sometimes marked with starting squares.

Arrow-Marked Boards

Historical boards rarely had arrows. Teaching diagrams in manuscripts (Libro de los juegos, 1283; Persian treatises) used arrows to show piece movement. Some modern travel/educational sets print arrows on squares for beginners.

Other Candidates

• Courier Chess (12×8, 13th C.) — Extra pieces (Courier=modern Bishop, Sage, Fool); German.
• Tamerlane Chess (11×10+citadels) — Complex; Timurid Empire.
• Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) — River, palace, cannon; pieces on intersections; some beginner boards show move arrows.
• Janggi (Korean Chess) — Similar to Xiangqi; more flexible piece drops.
• Makruk (Thai Chess) — Closer to Shatranj; still played competitively.

If It's a Specific Set

Share: material (wood, bone, plastic), box art, any text/languages, piece shapes (figurative vs. abstract), board markings beyond arrows.

Shatranj is the best fit for "old simplified chess with knights/kings." Arrows = teaching aid, not standard equipment.