Comments by LarryLSmith

I like the Pretwa playing field. Though I might opt for an eight spoke
wheel instead of six. And to further the multiple of four: eight rings.
With the center point making a final ninth on the spokes.

I also like the idea of playing on points instead of cells. This might
offer a better perspective, particularly if the pyramids are used as
blockers/deflectors.

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Within each of us is a piece of the Great Truth hidden by Creation. It will
only be fully revealed when we truly know and understand one another.

--Anonymous Revelation

I have a theory (and it might not be original) that board games began as
tally fields for dice games. As the pieces began to interact, player
developed rules: such as captures, displacement, etc.

This might also account for the introduction of specific pieces to the
field to note a particular roll. A six or double could offer a multiplier.

And reaching the end of a track would result in promotion. Allowing for the
dice game to continue on a limited track.

I'm thinking of a circular field for this potential game. Each ring being
a seperate track. Shifting from such tracks according to conditions. The
goal being to place a specific piece on the center cell.

The outer ring could be the introduction point. Rolls could determine place
and piece. Modifier pieces would shift moving pieces in and out of the
concentric rings. Including off-board.

The number of cells for each ring might be baseed on the potential dice. I
thinking that those discs would serve for this purpose. Flat on one side
and curved on the other. A toss could be denoted as 1 for curved side up
and 2 for flat side up. With two discs, this offers a roll of 2, 3, or 4.
Doubles might allowed additional rolls. My concern would be the odds of
tossing these particular pieces. Would their dynamics result in common
orientation, such as flat side always being down?

Another idea for dice could be four-sided sticks.

According to the picture we have:

4 pyramids
4 light 'bullets'
8 dark 'bullets'
3 pigs or boars
4 dogs?
1 grey glob
1 black glob
3 striped spheres
2 black discs
3 white speres

Now, it would not be necessary to use all--or even the same quantity--of
any of these pieces.

But my first impression is a game similar to Hounds and Jackals. Boars and
Dogs. The other pieces being modifiers to the playing field or goal
pieces.

The playing field could be Senet-like. A race track with multiple
branchings. This will allow the other pieces to be used as 'blockers' or
'modifiers'.

For example, the pyramids might simply deflect the approaching piece to
adjacent tracks. Or block, according to its facing.

The 'globs' might represent each players goal piece that would need
protection.

I'll stop my speculation here. And allow others to present a few ideas of
their own. Needless to say(but I will anyway), my suggestion should not be
considered dogma. Anyone should feel free to express alternative
applications.

One note: Ancient games often used dice. Would such be a part of this
game?

Very interesting.

I've always loved the ancient games. Even wrote a Zillions file for
Latrunculi from rules interpretated by Dr. Ulrich Shaeder. Added a variant
of my own. ;-)

I noted that the site included thousands of beads and pieces of pottery.
Was there a board found with the pieces? Else I might jump to the
conclusion that these might simply be the products of manufacturer of
household odds and ends. And may not represent either a complete or
intended game set. Just think of all the little figurines that people still
collect for no reason except for display and accumulation.

But still, it could be very fun to work up some form of play with this set.
It notes that the field might be based on number four. I would stick to
movement and captures based on other ancient games. A few modern tweaks
might help to liven the game, so such potentials should not be totally
disregarded.

Is anyone interested in giving such a project a try?

Don't know if this variant has been published here, or the name of the
original developer. But here's a nice little change in the standard rules
of the Mad Queen variant.

Each player, at their turn, writes down two distinct legal moves that they
could perform. The opposing player chooses one of these.

If there are no optional moves, such as might occur during a check, the
player may simply perform that one.

Have played this form many times and it can lead to some interesting
tactics. First, your opponent must recognize the potential of both offered
moves and select the one they would deem 'second best'. And though a
weaker move may appear such, they can often turn the game. Second, reducing
your opponents options and forcing a truly weak move as their 'second
best'.

Try it, you'll like it.

If I can find the time, I might hack out a ZRF for this game. ;-)

It will not be that difficult to encode. I would like to have a wicked appearance for its graphics. If anyone has ideas in this direction, I am interested. The difference between the 'live' and 'undead' pieces should be quite significant so that the player can easily visualize their particulars.

Interesting 3D game.

I would like to see an in-depth explanation of the individual movement of
the pieces.

The restriction of the King goes a long way to catching that 'slippery'
3D king. This also might solve the length of game problem with the 8x8x8
field.

With more info, I may work up a Zillions implementation for this game.

Good point, Charles.

Let's simply make the condition for moving from the top to bottom level(or vice versa) predicated on the similar destination cell of the middle level being vacant. So that a move from the bottom level to d4 on the top level is only possible if the d4 cell of the middle level is not occupied.

This will allow for blocking an opponent's move or capture, although this tactic might not be utilized that often.

Don't know if anyone has pointed this out but--

This game might play nice on the commercial 3x8x8 field. Allowing only transfers to the central level from the top and bottom, but to either top or bottom from the central level.

Just a thought.

A very interesting variant. Let me play around with it for a while before rating it properly. Though just for the concept I could rate it better than Good.

I wondering how the increase in potential cells will affect play. Particularly when trying to corner the opposing King. This is a common problem with most 3D games, that slippery King.

But I can see that the player could also have an increase potential of promotion, so that may solve the problem.

Once again, nice idea.