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Comments by GlennOverby
ximeracak.. A leaper-heavy fantasy variant designed for play with a standard set. (8x8, Cells: 64) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]It looks like I'll be the editor in charge of the first tournament. Right now I have compiled, with plenty of suggestions, a list of 42 games to pick from. They break down around 50% regular board size, 33% smaller, 16% larger. I am constructing a poll to allow folks to vote on any of those games they would like to see in, and indeed to suggest others. The set of games to be used _in 2003_ will be picked by the staff here guided by the polls. We want a mix of old, new, big, small, etc. Variety is key the first time out. When and if the first tourney succeeds, I'd love to see 'thematics' later, much as we have held a variety of design contests. The linchpin issue is simply whether we can get players. I'd be happy with 10, but would love 20 or more. And picking good games is a prerequisite to getting players. And I agree with the comment that there are so many good games it's hard to get agreement on a list. That's why I suggested this; lots of good games languishing in obscurity. Please keep the feedback coming...
ximeracak.. A leaper-heavy fantasy variant designed for play with a standard set. (8x8, Cells: 64) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I may have to try this. The rule idea has some interesting ramifications. I wonder, though, if it won't make it too hard to give mate in a number of positions. The impact on promotion decisions is also worth study.
I'll play around with it both ways some time in the next week, as soon as I get a free hour or so to sling Zillions code. (Scanning and cascades are still annoying.) :) At least the game already has a promote-only-to-what-is-gone rule, so the issue of multiple Pegasi cannot arise. I kind of like the image of the heroic Pegasus flying to the aid of the beseiged General. It fits the theme somehow.
I need to play with this. It's quite an idea. I wonder if the King shouldn't be like any other piece, even in check; if you're in check, have no card to move the King, and can't defeat the check otherwise it is mate. The concept will map with interesting results to a lot of variants that use the ordinary 8x8 and 32 pieces. The cards might even work best with a form other than orthochess. Peter, you think too much! :)
Just had another thought...a 10-card version with five cards each for King and Pawn, two cards each for others, with the Wild card. Or 9 without the Wild card. The optimum card mix, as you astutely noted, may not yet be known. KQ KB KN KR KP PQ PB PN PR (Wild)
Does castling require one card, or two, as you see it? I vote one, a King card, since officially castling has long been viewed as a move of the King. But I could go either way. A 19-card set sounds like a plan...White with nine, Black with nine plus the Wild card, no card used on White's first move. I can see some potential for endgame draws, where mating material is hindered by a lack of sufficient cards to make the moves. :)
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]CWDA is being considered for this tournament on the same basis as any other listed game, notwithstanding last year's CWDA-only event. It's likely to poll fairly well, because it is a high-profile variant compared to most on the list.
Nuno, please consider voting anyway. :) I am a big fan of Wildebeest Chess, but 11x10 is likely just too big for this tournament. Notice that only three games bigger than 9X9 got listed, and nothing bigger than 10x10. The same factor kept Omega Chess off the list, and Grand Chess was one of the last three games to be placed on the list. I hesitate to blow my own horn, but if you like leapers take a peek at ximeracak. And if the age-old battle between leapers and riders fascinates you, as it did Schmittberger when he balanced leapers and riders in Wildebeest, try Chigorin Chess. Thanks for your interest. I have recorded Wildebeest among the suggested games, vote or no vote. :)
There are a couple of factors involved in skewing toward medium-size or small variants instead of large ones. One is time; a year is a long time, but some large variants are really long games. One is intimidation; big games are more likely to make people nervous than small games. This event has a learning curve to it; for the first time or two out, we want to monitor just how big that learning curve is. One is the fact that we have lots of decent under-recognized small variants, because of our contests, and perhaps not quite so many large ones. But the comments and votes are assuredly being noted and logged, and will tell a story by the time the polling ends. :)
Vincent's comment represents a larger body of opinion. The only games that have been suggested multiple times in the suggestion blank on the ballot are Gothic and Omega. All the larger variants save one are polling strongly enough (well into the upper half) that it is obvious that my concerns about size were worrying about a non-existent problem. Live and learn. It should perhaps be clarified that 100 squares was not a magic threshold which Grand met and Omega did not. Anything over 64 squares was classed as large, anything under 64 as small, and the final list reflected 2 small to 4 standard to 1 large. The three games larger than 9X9 (Xiangqi, Glinski Hexagonal, Grand) were all among the last games to be added because of their size. I won't make any comments about the relative merits of the games Vincent has elected to praise and dis, except to say that the case for relative superiority and inferiority is not nearly as clear as presented. And I thank him for making a most pertinent observation.
On the machines question: No decision has yet been made on whether or not to permit machine entries. I have no personal objection to them, but understand that others do. If any likely players feel strongly about this one way or the other, let me know, either here or by email. Regarding squares and size: Ben is of course right that squares are an inexact way at best to classify a game. But number of squares will still correlate to a certain degree with size and speed. About voting in general: We have a respectable number of votes in, and the pack is spreading out. We also have three unlisted games now which have significant support for inclusion. How would those who have voted or are considering voting feel about cutting the list to 20 or so for a second round of polls? Evaluating 42 at once has always been chancy...although given the huge universe we're drawing from, it was inevitable. But a follow-up round might allow for more considered judgements. We want a good range of good games as the foundation of a good tournament.
There was an earlier discussion of time limits. I post the following for comments, as preparations continue. Proposed time regulations for the Multivariant Tournament: 1. The clock starts at noon Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5) on February 1, 2003. 2. You must move within five days of receipt of your opponent's most recent move to avoid using time units. 3. A move requiring 120 hours or more to make costs time units: 120:00 to 239:59 (5 to <10 days)....1 unit 240:00 to 359:59 (10 to <15 days)...2 units 360:00 to 479:59 (15 to <20 days)...3 units 480:00 to 599:59 (20 to <25 days)...4 units 600:00 to 719:59 (25 to <30 days)...5 units 720:00 to 839:59 (30 to <35 days)...6 units 840:00 or more......................forfeiture 4. If you use more than six time units in a game, you forfeit the game. 5. You should promptly notify your opponent if you do not receive a reply within 10 days of sending your last move, with a copy to the Tournament Director. This notice should be repeated after 20 days, and after 30 days. 6. If your opponent uses time units for a move, you must confirm the number of time units used for that move with your reply. 7. If a disagreement arises concerning time units or a time-forfeit, both players are expected to notify the Tournament Director immediately, and comply with his directions. 8. The Tournament Director may, in extraordinary circumstances, and with or without specific application by the players, add one or more time units to both players' available units in any game. 9. The Tournament Director is Glenn Overby II, [email protected]. (NOTE: This is the approximate equivalent of a rigid 5-day-maximum per move with 30-days flexible leave, and without prior notice requirements for leave.)
84 Spaces Contest. 84 Spaces Contest begins![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Doug, I did. It's been resubmitted, so will probably be up soon. Three players, naturally. :)
Looks like I'm too far west...I live almost on the Illinois/Indiana border, a couple of hours south of Chicago and around 90 minutes west of Indianapolis.
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]As you can see, a second round of polling has begun. It includes every game save one which received multiple suggestions in the suggestion box, plus the top dozen from the original poll after the top four (which had a huge lead) were skimmed off and declared in. Many of these games polled pretty close together, and hopefully looking at only 15 at this stage will enable careful considerations. Thanks to the many who have voted so far (yes, you may vote again in round two). Your response gives me additional hope for a successful event.
I wondered how long it would take someone to say that. :( Seriously, I apologize to anyone in Ben Good's position. It was simply the feeling after extended discussion that reducing the size of the list would encourage more refined consideration of the remaining listed games, and that sufficient voter input had been received to make a preliminary adjustment. The ultimate responsibility was mine. I regret any bad feelings it may have caused. (It's hard to start something like this from scratch, and know how it will best proceed.) Thank you for your comment; I urge you to make your opinion count in round two between now and 1 November.
Orwell Chess. Three player variant themed on George Orwell's 1984. (7x12, Cells: 84) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The idea of a circular board may yet be explored, if not here then for another three-player game. I had some of the pieces in mind first, and their use made a board without squares more trouble than it was worth. In face-to-face play, White and Black tend to sit at their respective ends with Red along a long side. It works. Also, in face-to-face we always structured the board with a thirteenth 'rank' just like the picture. Players freely swapped any piece on the 12th to either end as needed, to help visualize the situation around the cylinder. I'm glad you liked the game. The Shifting Alliances rule is one design feature I'm particularly happy about.
84 Spaces Contest. 84 Spaces Contest begins![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]OK. That's Tony and Mark in Chicago, and Glenn just outside Danville. Any others in driving range? Will the Midwest branch of the US Chess Variant Conglomeration please come to order? ;)
Existentialist Chess. 10x10 board with many different pieces. (10x10, Cells: 100) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I'll omit a rating. There are too many interesting concepts to be Poor, but probably not enough cohesion or playability to truly merit Good. Actually, the bits and pieces of this game might well make two or three variants of reasonable merit with better focus. (I started to write a ZRF, but set it aside.)
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Eric: I'll be happy to put Renniassance Chess on the poll the next time we do a tournament of this style. The polling process is too far advanced to tamper with it for this tournament. I have only recently become familiar with RennChess, after Ben Good did the updated page a short time ago. It certainly falls into a style of variant that seems to resonate with the voters. In fact, a large-variants theme is under active consideration for a future PBEM tourney.
The results are in. The voting was very, very close. Registration for the tournament opens in not quite two weeks.
The Zillions file is now available with all the tournament games (except Extinction, which comes with Zillions) in a single ZIP file.
Fidchell. A large Great Chess variant with blended historical elements, invented for an RPG. (12x12, Cells: 144) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Thanks for the comments, and the interest. The Marshal commands only 24 squares...below is a diagram which I hope will come out. +---+---+---+---+ | | * | * | | +---+---+---+---+ | | * | | * | +---+---+---+---+ | | | * | * | +---+---+---+---+ | R | | | | +---+---+---+---+ This shows one-fourth of the Marshal's coverage. I hope it helps.
Abecedarian Big Chess (ABChess). Buy-your-own-army variant on a big board; 26 piece types. (11x11, Cells: 121) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]You won't have to wait long for a ZRF; a few days at most. A preliminary version already exists. I just need to clean it up a little before putting it out. (The current version requires manual input of armies by right-clicking on the pieces...eight test armies with 28 matchups are also provided ready-to-go. It will take a while to design the interface to automate army buying, but you don't need one to play.)
Responding to several comments at once... Nightriders: The Yeomen on third rank, on the 11x11 board, do help in slowing down the Nightriders. Link: It's fixed; thank you for pointing it out. Pawns and lettering: There were two reasons why I gave the Yeomen a letter. One was thematic consistency in my eyes...26 letters, 26 pieces. The other was the lack of suitable 'Y' pieces out there--I tried to avoid inventing pieces or stretching too far for names, preferring instead to draw from a rich variety of existing concepts. Thanks for the feedback!
Renniassance Chess 
. Game played on several sizes of large board with 68 pieces per side.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I salute Mr. Jackman for even attempting this ZRF. I started to code a couple of the odder pieces for a different design, and found them to be formidable. No rating yet, but surely worthy of attention.
Jackman is what Holzman morphs into when you've been staring at a screen for too long today and start writing from faulty memory. :) Glenn
Abecedarian Big Chess (ABChess). Buy-your-own-army variant on a big board; 26 piece types. (11x11, Cells: 121) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Thank you for the insights. The game will require a lot more play before I go monkeying too much with it. The piece values are very, very hard to tie down. I don't see occasional unbalanced matchups as a problem, since experimenting with new armies is what it's all about. But a piece, especially a higher-priced piece, that is markedly over- or under- priced will be a Bad Thing in the long run. The Teleporter was picked in part because of that anti-positional nature. It made a very different, divergent piece, which in my version is also a color-changer like the orthodox knight. (And pieces starting with T are not commonplace.) Zillions finds it hard to handle, but the astonishing mobility has its uses. Its price is, frankly, the most likely to change with experience. I finished a Zillions-vs-Zillions round-robin between the eight armies supplied in the ZRF. A crosstable and notes will be up in the next few days. Marshal Immobilizer and Varan Unicorn armies tied for first at 5-2; last place was 2-5. White scored 15.5-12.5. MI army: XSEMZ-IAZWS VU army: VHEDD-JJEHU
Renniassance Chess. With 68 pieces on board of 12 by 12. (12x10, Cells: 120) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The movement table shows the same symbol for Page and Cavalier. The graphic used for the Cavalier in the picture--if that's the right graphic--is not found in the table.
L. Fun contest: Help us create a new chess variant by committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I think a forum area for this is a splendid suggestion for discussing ideas, campaigning, and other sport. The email mentioned is the equivalent of making a formal 'entry' to the contest, and such formal enrries will still be posted here. When we get around to polls they'll link from this page as well.
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Registration is open at last, a few hours early, and the first entrant is already signed up...
Both. I will update the list of entrants every so often, <b>and</b> the ultimate pairings will be a surprise. :)
L. Fun contest: Help us create a new chess variant by committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The minor tweaks I added should answer your questions. (Yes, you can spread out your official suggestions. Yes, you can make a split nomination for a piece.) Thanks for asking!
Contest to design a chess variant on 43 squares. Missing description[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The only persons who absolutely may not enter are Hans and I. (In general, editors have been submitting only non-competing entries for the past several contests.) We welcome entries from past prizewinners and newcomers alike.
L. Fun contest: Help us create a new chess variant by committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The way I'll organize the polling... On January 1, I'll mail to each entrant the list in one of the categories, determined at random. Each entrant has till the end of the month to return a list of votes *in order of preference* in that category, voting for as many or as few as desired. At the end of the month, or when all eligible entrants have voted, a Condorcet preferential voting method will be used to pick a winner, which is then posted to the main page. Entries close for a category when voting starts. (In the case of the first rules vote, they re-open after the ballot because there's still one more rule to pick.) If you have entered in any category, you may vote in every category, at the proper time. On February 1, the process repeats, for a different category. Rules will be voted on twice, each piece-type only once, during the first seven months. After seven votes, we have a variant.
Luotuoqi is intended to be playable with an ordinary board and pieces. I don't see a big deal with entries that differentiate one rook/knight/bishop from the other. It will be up to the polling to see if others have issues. A similar situation applies with rules like proposal 3, The Cube. It introduces something other than the basic 32 pieces and a board. Only the voting will tell if this places the rule beyond the pale.
Abecedarian Big Chess (ABChess). Buy-your-own-army variant on a big board; 26 piece types. (11x11, Cells: 121) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]A xebec is a small three-masted ship with both square and triangular sails. One of my dictionaries suggests derivation from Arabic via French chebec. I don't know if the usage is archaic or inappropriate, but I have seen 'Oberstecher' equated to Overtaker in descriptions of an old German card game (the name of the three of trumps in Karnõffel). As for the Dragon and Murray Lion, I don't know if either has a customary German name, but Hund strikes me as potentially appropriate for either move. I'd like to see the list when it is done. :)
Thanks for the information. A 'false friend' possibility is exactly what I was wondering about. Ah, well. It took me a while (and a fudge or two) to get an English list that fit.
TamerSpiel. Modern large chess variant with elements of historic chess variants. (12x8, Cells: 84) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]'Tis fixed. :) Looks like a promising game, too.
84 Spaces Contest. 84 Spaces Contest begins![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I would certainly be willing to help judge under the conditions Hans describes (11 games in first round, 6 in finals, no judge evaluates any group including their own design at any time). It seems the best way to manage the rather large field. For the newly-opened 43 squares contest I have gone to a two-round preferential voting system, as the task is getting quite large for one or two judges. This contest was also originally slated for voting, so a jury of the public is a reasonable return to what Fergus originally conceived.
Fidchell. A large Great Chess variant with blended historical elements, invented for an RPG. (12x12, Cells: 144) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The key in answering Daniel's question is that the King may be left en prise--you don't have to move out of check. So any time a King is 'checked' but not 'mated' by traditional rules, that King could be lost by simply failing/forgetting/declining to protect it. There are some mild tactical potentials as well, since the capture of a vulnerable King is mandatory...
Feedback to the Chess Variant Pages - How to contactus. Including information on editors and associate authors of the website.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I'm as much in the dark as Ken is...I play a few games there (ItsYourTurn), and have had no trouble until this extended outage. If I hear anything reliable I'll mention it here. Glenn Overby Editor
84 Spaces Contest. 84 Spaces Contest begins![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]My usefulness is limited, since I have two entries in my last contest before joining the editorial staff. But I'll judge other games as long as I am eligible.
Feedback to the Chess Variant Pages - How to contactus. Including information on editors and associate authors of the website.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I confirm Ken's statement...with the added note that those of us who play fast (28-hour) tournaments saw every game time out. :(
They're working hard on making everyone whole. This is a brief excerpt from a long explanatory message apparently sent to subscribers in general... ---begin excerpt--- Any timed-out tournament and non-tournament games since midnight Thursday will be restored automatically. Also, we will suspend tournament timeouts until midnight on Tuesday. If you are a current member, we will add 2 days to your membership. Please email [email protected] from the email address registered on your account, and we will take care of this for you. Please allow a few days for us to get to this request, since we are frantically trying to address all the issues relating to this downtime. ---end excerpt---
Optima. Members-Only Large variant influenced by Robert Abbott's Ultima.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Since this comment is for a page that has not been published yet, you must be signed in to read it.
L. Fun contest: Help us create a new chess variant by committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Robert's idea makes sense. As each rule/piece is adopted, it supersedes any previously adopted proposal to the extent of any conflict. When it's all over I expect to edit the whole as a consistent rule set in any case (standardizing description formats, clarifying conflicts, etc.).
84 Spaces Contest. 84 Spaces Contest begins![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I think David's remarks are right on target...a sort of 'guided randomness' to balance the pools is probably in order. Certainly splitting the entries of multiple-entrants is reasonable in round one, and while I hadn't thought about board style or other factors his suggestions are rooted in good thought. Fergus's earlier comment about picking five from each initial pool instead of three is also a good observation.
Thirteen entrants (16 designs) have participated in prior contests. A rough familiarity factor, computed by adding the number of prior entries to the number of judge recognitions (prize or special mention), shows: Aikin 6, Neto 6, Quintanilla 5, Overby 4, Bell 3, Cazaux 3, McComb 3, Short 3, Thompson 3, Bruck 2, VanDeventer 2, Forsman 1, Greenwood 1. Messrs. Cazaux and Greenwood certainly are well-known for other contributions as well. Ten entrants (18 designs, including two joint-entries) have two games. These are Campos, Fourriere, Knappen, A Newton (1 joint), P Newton (2 joint), T Newton (1 joint), Overby, Overington, Quintanilla, Short.
I'm shaking my head in bemusement. Had the contest run by its original plan, before Life intervened for its organizer, we'd be less than three weeks from being done. (Albeit with many fewer entries, and that includes some good ones.) Now, with the prospect of two or even three rounds of judging by a pool still unknown, we may be looking at June. I suppose this is partly the price of success...33 entries is really quite a fine turnout for this contest. My suggestion is to slow the pace of suggestions, and let Hans work through what he wants to do.
TamerSpiel. Modern large chess variant with elements of historic chess variants. (12x8, Cells: 84) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Just posting a comment to let everyone know that I'm working up a ZRF for this one, so efforts don't get duplicated in the push to get ZRFs for the contest.
Two questions: 1. May a piece which promoted move out of a citadel, move back in on a later turn, and promote again? There are three possibilities for this: Firzan--Eagle--Queen Vizier--Lion--Warlord Guard--Champion--Supercav 2. Let's see if I understand promotion zones: A. Either citadel on the enemy side may be used by any piece which has a level to which to promote. B. A bishop may also promote on the square orthogonally adjacent to an enemy citadel. (In other words, a colourbound bishop still has two promotion spaces.) C. A pawn may also promote on b2(b7) or k2(k7). 3. The ZRF is barely started, but if you want to send me your email addy (mine is on the feedback page) I can send you a screenshot or two of the graphics I did for this. I went with an unchequered board to supplement your historical feel.
84 Spaces Contest. Information/proposal on judgement of the contest.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I have designs in Groups B and C, and am a credited playtester on a game in Group A. A simple playtest credit would not ordinarily keep me from judging, but given my multiple status as a new editor of the CVP and an entrant as well I am being extra-cautious. I have notified Hans that I cannot judge. But the system seems reasonable to me.
TamerSpiel. Modern large chess variant with elements of historic chess variants. (12x8, Cells: 84) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The ZRF is done, except for debugging the King/Tetrarch escape-swap. It should be ready by the time judges are assigned.
84 Spaces Contest. Information/proposal on judgement of the contest.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]My ability to take up additional games right now is very limited. But in the interest of seeing Orwell Chess (a three-player design) get evaluation games I am willing to play by email, using Zillions for recording, against pairs of judges who want to play. (I can play Beastmaster, too, but the three-player game which is harder to fill gets priority.)
Star Pool Chess. Large variant of Makruk, with a center non-square that acts as a bridge. (Cells: 84) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]This one won't be in anybody's pool (more's the pity) as it would have been Tony's third entry. Also, Peter has been in semiretirement from contests. ;)
Way of the Knight . Pieces with experience levels: a `role playing variant'.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I for one appreciate Sam's interest in upgrading the ZRF of this deserving game. I hope that when the upgrade is finished it will be made available here, as my original was.
Voidrider Chess. A 43 square variant with movable spaces. (7x9, Cells: 43) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Fergus, should I add this to the 43 squares contest page? If so, is it a competing or non-competing entry?
L. The list of official nominations for the variant-by-committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]We have nine people who have entered so far. Surely there are others with cool ideas to throw in! All six categories are still open for suggestions, subject to the limits outlined on the <a href='http://www.chessvariants.com/contests/luotuoqi.html'>rules page</a>. (Any <i>new rules</i> suggested during the active poll will be held in waiting until that poll ends.)
Remember, as long as you make at least one official suggestion you get to vote in all remaining polls.
On to the politicking...
<ul>
<li>I like #1, although I don't know if I prefer #1 or #7. Those two would mutually conflict.
<li>#2 is indeed weird but playable It would certainly have potential to open things up.
<li>#3 is an interesting twist on double-move variants. (I wonder if Zillions can handle it...but if Peter thinks it can, it probably can.)
<li>The thought behind #4 is noteworthy, but will it slow up the game excessively?
<li>I don't know how much #5 would add even if a drop-chess rule were added.
<li>I can see #6 adding some nuances to play.
<li>#7 is the quirkiest of the lot. However, it's a quirk that appeals to me. It's interesting that we have both #1 and #7 proposed as one-shot rules.
</li>
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I didn't bother to write a no computers rule because I dislike setting rules that are by nature unenforceable. (Would that lawmakers felt this way!) Peter also makes a good point...the availability of competent engines for several of these games is limited to non-existent. That's one advantage of a multivariant event with widely different stuff.
L. The list of official nominations for the variant-by-committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]A tenth entrant has just had five suggestions posted. Keep 'em coming!
Robert: I sent email to each entrant on 2 January outlining how polls are conducted. (Only entrants are eligible to vote.) Each month I will send email to my list of all entrants with the current month's polling instructions. The following is excerpted from that email. ---begin excerpt--- To vote: Send me an email ([email protected]) voting for as many or as few nominees below as you wish, in order of preference. I will use Single Transferable Vote counting to establish the winner. While you have all of January to vote, if I hear from all nine entrants sooner I will announce the result ASAP. ---end excerpt--- Also included was the text from the webpage recounting the nominees. If you or anyone else was an entrant as of January 1, and did not get this email from me, please confirm your email address to me. Anyone who has entered for the first time in January, as well as prior entrants, should hear from me around February 2. Glenn
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Just over 24 hours to go, in my time zone. Let your spirit of adventure thrive! Some of these games are really both quite good and not well known.
Home page of The Chess Variant Pages. Homepage of The Chess Variant Pages.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Douglas, that's a problem that can't be solved easily. The best answer I can give is simply to enjoy each game for what you get from it, and know that those who rely on a computer to win are cheating themselves. Also, playing variants helps (yes, I know that you're still new to regular chess), because many of the programs available are a lot weaker. Next, don't always trust everything you hear over IM--I've seen my share of false accusations in my time. Finally, over time you can find opponents you can trust. Good luck to you! Glenn Overby CVP Competitions Editor
I absolutely agree. But I note several practical difficulties. 1) Which variants? This also invites subquestions...how is a variant recognized for official play, how is the list determined for a championship series, how do we develop laws which cover the wide realm of variants... 2) Should games such as shogi and xiangqi (or Western chess!), with their own firmly established organizations, be considered as variants? 3) Should tournaments utilizing only one variant be counted, or only events involving two or more? 4) How does one balance the variants in issuing ratings, given that player proficiency is certain to vary across the spectrum of games? 5) Is there enough of an audience of variantists (who play more than one or two games with some proficiency) to be credible or worthwhile? Certainly as the contest guy here, I'm keenly interested in the idea you raise. But we'd have quite a road in front of us... Glenn Overby
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The deadline has passed. Unless David has a last-minute entry that has not been forwarded (the entries route to him because of the fee), my pairings are complete and will be emailed this weekend. Good luck, gentlemen.
Mad Scientist Chess. Fetch me the Pawn, Igor! (8x8, Cells: 64) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Comment withdrawn; I answered my own questions. Reading is wonderful; I should try it more often. :)
Chancellor. Moves like rook or as knight.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I prefer Marshal (one l, Freeling's usage notwithstanding) in part because there are a lot of piece-names that start with C and I often strive for unambiguous English notation. I also tend to use Archbishop instead of Cardinal for the same reason. I'm not sure there is a consensus for Chancellor or Marshal, but I would use neither name for any other piece-move. Both names seem to be strongly associated with the specific R+N combination.
Zillions also overvalues dramatically the Teleporter in my ABChess. That's a divergent piece which can move anywhere (outside Xiangqi-like fortresses) to a space of the opposite color, but captures only as a Wazir (including into or within a fortress). ZoG makes it worth about 1.5 Queens on an 11x11 board. I figure it for perhaps half that, and that may still be high.
I haven't settled on nominating another game yet, but Hostage Chess is quite possible. It's an outstanding modification of the idea of drops to fit a standard chess set. David Pritchard called it the variant of the decade for the 1990s; he may well be right.
Chancellor. Moves like rook or as knight.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I think the solution is education and encouragement, not some sort of unenforceable faux compulsion. To this end, I think that encouraging the use of a slightly tightened Betza notation on a widespread basis has clear merit. I also think that designers for their part would be well-served by some modest research before they jump to publication--and their games are in fact better served by forging their links to the family tree with good naming.
<p>I have reread Ralph's summary of funny notation. It is on a page that isn't tied into the comment system, so I'm starting a thread here.
<p>Question: What needs to be added to this page to reflect later developments? I'm prepared to edit a Funny Notation 2003 (I think we should call it Betza notation!) page, but I want to make sure it's up to date...especially if we begin to actively promote its use.
<p>The page is <a href='http://chessvariants.com/d.betza/chessvar/pieces/notation.html'>here</a>.
Thanks, John. I have z in my list of modifiers. While compiling my notes, I was thinking about compound notation for such pieces as bent riders and Xiangqi horses. I have an idea involving () and &, but wonder if other solutions exist. Defining y as a modifier for 'away from the square of origin' (a common enough limitation in these moves), we might have: (W&yF) for the Xiangqi horse F(F&yR) for the Gryphon. I also considered extended notation for leaps greater than (3,3). Since there is an indefinite number of such leaps, the possibility of something like [14] comes to mind in lieu of another hard-to-remember letter for a (1,4) leaper. [17][55] for the Root-Fifty Leaper. I don't know what other extensions may be in existence or proposed.
I think that's pushing it. :) Defining moves alone (with a provision for divergent pieces) is hard enough. Note that Betza Notation doesn't begin to define castling, promotion, or en passant...just to name 'powers' of the orthodox pieces. And to attempt to do so would make it less useful, not more. My $.02, of course.
I have written a summary of the notation as it stands, including the extension introduced for the Rhino. It is a bit more organized than Ralph's earlier notes, but probably could use some enhancement. It will be up soon. I didn't intend to start an animated debate, and I apologize for doing so.
Betza Notation. A primer on the leading shorthand for describing variant piece moves.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Okay, I put up a page. We can continue the discussion over here. :) Question: How would some of you try to unambiguously describe the Horse of Xiangqi in Betza notation? nN is not perfect, because the Horse can be blocked on the orthogonal but not the diagonal. It's a question that has likely been solved, since the notation provides for things like p for the cannon. But I have not run across the answer.
I think that outward is the default usage within square brackets; the Rhino is simply z[WF]. I don't know about [nWF] for the Horse. Does nW make sense? I'm still mulling over how to define a long leap, short of using up more of the alphabet. The curly brackets are possible. Or parentheses. And I think the comma would be optional in that context.
Cardinal. Moves as bishop or as knight.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]An excellent summary, indeed. Just to establish the futility of trying to get a standard name out of all this, I noticed that my Thronschach calls the piece a Cardinal, and my ABChess later the same year calls it an Archbishop. :) History is on both sides, and for Princess as well. But I also like Fergus's reasoning for Paladin.
Betza Notation. A primer on the leading shorthand for describing variant piece moves.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Thanks for the catch. I did get it backwards. It is fixed now; the notation on the page is really the Crab. :)
ximeracak.. A leaper-heavy fantasy variant designed for play with a standard set. (8x8, Cells: 64) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Ow. Zillions did that to me once in a test game. :) Like the fool's mate in orthochess, once you've seen it you avoid it in the future. Thanks for the compliment. 'Beautifully treacherous' almost sounds like ad copy.
L. The list of official nominations for the variant-by-committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I have votes from seven of the nine entrants as of January 1. The four new people will be eligible to vote in the remaining 6 polls beginning in a couple of days. The new rules section will re-open for suggestions on Saturday, after the deadline for the current voting passes. The list for Pawns will close for good at that time, as the February poll will pick the Pawn. Also, two more suggestions have been posted.
84 Spaces Contest Jury members. Please consider becoming a judge for the 84 squares contest![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I had withdrawn myself from consideration to judge earlier. Given the shortage of judges I am willing to consider judging Group A if necessary. My pre-deadline involvement with Group A designs is limited to one playtest game of Lions and Dragons Chess with the designer. Hans, feel free to assign me if you need me. Glenn
I believe that David Short had expressed his willingness to judge as well, for whichever group he doesn't have an entry in.
John, I'm glad your memory is better than mine. :)
L. The list of official nominations for the variant-by-committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The January poll is done. Email to our 14 entrants for the February poll will go out later tonight. Suggestions are open for everything except the Pawn (which is being voted on now). Zillions programmers have six months or so to figure out how to program the Cube. If it can be done. :)
Comments on the field of Pawns: Eaglet -- Straightforward yet novel. Novice -- Curious. Is it stronger or weaker than a standard pawn? Left/Right Pawns -- Possibly tough to track. Rapid Pawn -- Another straightforward and appealing entry. Checkers -- These could be quite powerful. Is this hybrid good? Militia -- Rifle-pieces always introduce questions. Nickel -- Imaginative. Piece of Eight -- Alone, not so hot...if the Tower of Hanoi wins, :)
Contest to design a chess variant on 43 squares. Missing description[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Mr. Martin: We have received your Diplomat Chess entry. We are experiencing problems with mail forwarding at the moment; if the situation is not cleared up in 48 hours or so I will mail you an alternate address for your submission. Glenn Overby CVP Competitions Editor
Multivariant Tournament 2003. 2003 Multivariant PBEM tournament headquarters page.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Five of the fifteen tournament games have finished. Standings are: Peter Aronson 2.0/3 Michael Howe 1.0/1 John Lawson 1.0/3 Michael Nelson 1.0/3 Tony Quintanilla 0.0/0 All players are playing six games. Aronson defeated Nelson at ximeracak. and Lawson at Rococo. Howe defeated Nelson at Cavalier Chess. Lawson defeated Aronson at Grand Chess. Nelson defeated Lawson at Chess on a Longer Board. Glenn
84 Spaces Contest Jury members. Please consider becoming a judge for the 84 squares contest![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I can only speak for the Group A judges, but we have exchanged a couple of rounds of comments. I think the judges are unanimous on three of the four, if I understood my colleagues rightly, and are in the same ballpark on the remaining contenders. Further I cannot go until results are ready. :)
Contest to design a chess variant on 43 squares. Missing description[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I would like to thank my fellow staff members for picking up the slack for me during a time of recent personal upheaval. I believe that all entries which have been submitted are now posted and linked. Contestants, thank you for your patience. The voting instructions will be posted soon after the April 15th entry deadline, but after the last of any last-minute entries is posted. I'm enjoying your creativity so far.
L. The list of official nominations for the variant-by-committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]That's also how I would interpret the proposal...one of the eight squares adjacent to a S~pawning Queen would need to be vacant to receive the created Pawn.
Sergeant. A combination of the Berolina and usual Pawns.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Yes, but Shogi has a whole bunch of generals. The promotion in rank is necessary to avoid falling from sight :)
L. The list of official nominations for the variant-by-committee.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Comments about the Queens (11 days to vote!) Fiend: It might work on the 12x12 board for which it was designed, but that long leap for an Immobilizer on 8x8 may have problems. Killer Immobilizer: This feels like too many rules. Tower of Hanoi: The objection to this creative piece is its use of sixteen checkers in addition to the usual pieces. But the idea has worthwhile potential anyway. Queen+Lame Camel: Does Camel Chess need a camel? If so, this is a reasonable choice. Queckers: A multi-moving Queen scares me. :) Ancestral Dragon: Knowing what a simple knight relay does, the relay power of this piece seems over the top. The S~Pawn~ing Queen: I wish the proposal had not allowed for up to 12 pawns on a side. That's a lot. I'm not sure which way to go. But I'm looking forward to the Bishops next month, which have some really cool ideas.
Chestria. Each player has 11 randomly selected pieces in this game of placement and flipping. (3x(5x5), Cells: 43) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]Jared, the 'obvious' is untrue. I have played Triple Triad a number of times, and found it enjoyable. But my nephews no longer live nearby, so I haven't done so in a while. :)
Jared: No, I'm in my mid-40s; my =son= is well over twenty. But my nephews are 19 and 12. I helped raise them to be gamers, and they taught me Triple Triad and Dragon Ball Z CCG among others. As for the RPG thing, I'm old-school tabletop myself (I started with D&D in 1975), because you can simply do so much more and be sociable to boot. But the continuing advances in PC/videogame technology make those games better all the time.
Contest to design a chess variant on 43 squares. Missing description[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]I am working on the page for the last competing entry (Diminuendo) which will make 15. There is also one more set of changes to an existing entry which is on time. All competing entries will be ready for your votes by the announced date of May 1st.
84 Spaces Contest Jury members. Please consider becoming a judge for the 84 squares contest![All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]The judges of Group A have reached a unanimous recommendation on four finalists for that group. I am awaiting permission from Hans or one of the other editors-in-chief before that result is released. They may well wish to wait until all judges from all groups have reported.
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