Comments by makov333
Codes for promotion: Gold General: G! or g! Promoted Silver General: CH or ch
Rules post will be corrected. Pieces section is from 8x8 version. Pieces in Setup is from basic (10x10) version. Here are the preset for basic version, so you can understand: /play/pbm/play.php?game%3DBungalow+Shatranj%26settings%3Dsecond
'Rather, it was probably invented as the most obvious powerful and aesthetic piece' Very abstract for analyze of game invention! What is aesthetic piece? Are knights aesthetic? Why then Queen not Chancellor or Cardinal (or Amazon)? In my opinion (I'm not author of the post), 'Queen was invented on the basis of Rook+Bishop' not as independent idea. Because all inventions have basis concrete. I'm inventor (a little) and know basis of my ideas (this basis is not abstract). Also basis of CWDA was ancient simple pieces (dabbaba, knight) and it's mixing, etc. I think that ancient people had same logic like Betza.
I like (aesthetically) knight and pawn movement (both has original movement). Knight can leap, pawns captures not like moves. There cannot be invented real intuitive chess. Everyone has different intuition. Somebody doesn't like sliding pieces (rooks for example) etc.
It is good variant. So good that I choose to play it at Swiss Hippo Tournament #2. http://swisshippo.blogspot.com/ It looks aesthetically nice. Chariot, cannon, knight and pawn are stronger than in Xiang Qi. Chariot in the center of the board controls 26 hexes (1\3 of the board!). To make defensive pieces stronger, I offer three ideas. 1) Elephant-move. Elephant moves like Hex Bishop just limited with the river. Can enter the palace. Or more conservative: Elephant can move one or two spaces diagonally. 2) Advisor (mandarin) move. Advisor moves orthogonally, not diagonally. 3) General move. General moves orthogonally and diagonally, so like a king. I like first and third. Maybe this ideas can be used in Xiang Hex 2 (modern variation)... I will think about it! I don't want to change this game, till somebody doesn't show path to forced win. Just to offer another variant... I'd prefer to play with stronger Elephants.
Hi Greg! How are you? It's a very good program! I can help you with CWDA openings. Also I've invented new CWDA Army based on the king. It's called Mighty Men. If you like I'll tell you moves of pieces. Here you can see game playing: /play/pbm/play.php?game=FIDE+vs.+Man&log=judgmentality-cetina.carlosr-2009-193-681
I'm well. Invented two original chessvariants (Maorider Chess and Bungalow Shatranj) and some 'light' variants (not posted yet): Rookaba Shatranj, Rooks Chess. Mighty Men: Man (b,g lines) moves like a king (ferz + wazir). Benz (c,f lines) moves like a bishop forward or like a rook backward. Pioneer (a,h lines) moves like a man or like a rook forward or backward. Cyborg (d line) moves like wazir, dabbaba, knight or alfil. IT DOESN'T MOVE LIKE FERZ. Ok. I'll work on different openings for different armies. I'll post openings here.
1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6 and now White can't hold on to the pawn, e.g. 3. Be3 e6 4. e4 Nxc5 5. Bxc5 Bxc5 and Black has an edge in development. 4.e4 is impossible because of Be3. And why trade bishop for knight (5. Bxc5) in such position?! Why need to protect this dead pawn?! Some variants: d4 c5 Nf3... 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6 3. Nc3 (or c3 or Bf4) I think d4 is not a very good move. It doesn't open diagonal lines for Cardinal. e4 - is the best. c4 is also good.
Excellent variant, excellent new piece. I think Cobra is weaker than Queen. It has 4 weak points (squares where can be captured). With such strong pieces it makes this moment very important. I think it has a value between bishop and rook.
Attack, I don't understand... I wrote that want to play Western pieces preset and sent you this preset. It's my choice and my right. Please send new invites for Round two and delete these.
Ok. I think CWDA is the best. I have invented a new Mighty Men army (cannot say when page with rules for this army will be ready). The theme of this army is man (or king). Man (b,g lines) moves like a king (ferz + wazir). Benz (c,f lines) moves like a bishop forward or like a rook backward. Pioneer (a,h lines) moves like a man or like a rook forward or backward. Robot (d line) moves like wazir, dabbaba, knight or alfil. IT DOESN'T MOVE LIKE FERZ. Here's the example game: /play/pbm/play.php?game=FIDE+vs.+Man&log=judgmentality-cetina.carlosr-2009-193-681 Also Fisher Random - sure, must be! Heavy Gravity Chess. I will participate in tournament.
Crazyhouse Cardinal Chess Alice Chess Glinski's Hexagonal Chess Embassy Chess
In my opinion Tournament must have some variant like: Fisher Random, Crazyhouse or Capablanca variant - it's a most well known and popular variants. I prefer Capa variant (Embassy) than Fisher Random. Also Circular or Hex chess looks interesting and original to me. Because other variants are very easy to me. Circular Chess are easy to understand and it have originality, because Rooks are stronger than in chess, knights and bishops are weaker. Fergus, I want to offer not Embassy chess, but Circular Chess (or Hex). Because tournament must be an entry to different-type of board variants. What do you think? 'Knightmate' Hm. Alice Chess looks more interesting. I think Alice Chess is not complicated at all.
Let's make voting with all variants from the comments (with all of mine (or one of mine) and Carlos Cetina Symmetric Chess). I think that variants like 'W-Flyers' is not interesting. I have this 'W-Flyer' in my Mighty Men Army, but I have whole different army. In 'W-Flyers' only one piece is different. It doesn't look interesting.
'The W-flyer might actually be stronger than a Rook, I suspect.)' Ouch, this is a little different piece, than in my MM-Army. But I'm not against this piece. This variant is playable, I don't like that it has no big differencies from classic chess. '...in a way that will be very confusing to a Human player' I cannot agree with you at all. Initially I have no problems with this board. Maybe a little confusing in the beginning, but not 'very confusing'.
'no big differencies' Not big, but no interesting differencies.
Yes, I prefer Circular Chess. And I think that Carlos Cetina choice 'Symmetric Chess' looks better than many other choices. I don't think that who is first is right. Who gives interesting variants and who will play this games in tournament must have right to choose variants. I want to advertise this tournament on some russian sites. So variants must be interesting for players, not for inventors. Inventors likes their variants and has problems with critics on its. What I offer is not variant of mine (like Cardinal Chess), but interesting and original variant.
I want to describe what I want to see, not as a offer (I offered Circular Chess), but as I want to see for beginners. 'The theme is a game that is good for introducing Chess players to Chess variants.': Fisher Random. It is a most well known chess variant. Crazyhouse - also popular. Dropping ability can be very useful to understand Shogi and other variants. Weak pieces variant (Heavy Gravity Chess or Modern Shatranj or Hypermodern Shatranj). Eurasian Chess. It is a good way to understand cannons. Circular or Hex chess (different type of board). Capa Chess. Cardinals and Chancellors are used in many chessvariants. Amazons are too strong and I don't like it, but it's only my preference. In my opinion, such variants can give some popularity for tournament. If another, tournament will be played by habitues of Game Courier, not by beginners. Maybe I'm wrong.
'Hexagonal Chess has the advantage that hexagonal variants are more common and more popular than circular variants.' Yes, but some people have problem with piece moving on hex board. I had this problem with knights. Also Hex Bishop is problematic piece. Circular Chess is more simple and I think two fronts of attack gives to this game interesting possibilities. 'That leaves Knightmate, which may at least be a good introduction to having a royal piece that is not a King.' All variants are good. But is knightmate better than Crazyhouse? I don't think so. By playing Crazyhouse you can learn to drop.
'Gustav III's Chess is a good example.' In my opinion it's a bad example. Two powerful Amazons on such board.... Hmm. 'Is it a good piece or not?' Maybe it is a good piece, but not for 64 or 68 squares, and not two. 'There are thousands of variants that have never been tried.' These variants can be played without tournament. There are no thousands of variants that match the criteria for this tournament's theme. 'In this tournament I propose that we only have variants which have never been tried before.' I cannot agree with such criteria.
Hypermodern Shatranj Eurasian Chess Circular Chess (or Hex Chess) Ajax Chess Capa variant I offer to change Knightmate for Fisher Random or Crazyhouse. It is most popular chessvariants in russian community. With such variants I hope my future advertising will work. With Knightmate and without Fisher Random or Crazyhouse it wouldn't work. 99%. Also do H. G. Muller participate in tournament?!
Me, Nick, Jeremy and Carlos are test all variants by playing its in alphabetical order. We've played 007 Chess. Now we plays 10 Directional... But many of these games is not for a such tournament for beginners. I believe that two amazons gives big advantage for White. And any chessmaster know how to win this game. On our level it is more playable game. But Amazon is exotic piece, that can be played without tournament. Cardinal and Chancellor is used in more variants than Amazon. I've played Gustav III and won it. If there is a problem which variant to choose: Capa or Gustav, lets vote. I vote for Capa. I'm not a fan of Fisher Random or Crazyhouse. But these games can give popularity for tournament. And then beginners will play 007, 008, Grand Amazon and many others on Game Courier.
'Vitya, if you know chess then you should understand that the Amazon is less wild in a cramped board situation. On a big board, however, it would have enormous scope.' Cannot agree with you. Amazons knight move works fine on a smaller board.
Mirari, looks like you not a beginner in chess variants. :) If I understand correct Fergus idea is not in originality of variants, but as introduction to chessvariants... to main ideas of many variants.
'The reason is that it is too easy to force the amazons to get traded off early on, and then you find yourself playing what amounts to a standard chess position with queens traded off.' We can play it and I can show you that is not easy to force...
'Looking at this list, the next three people who make a game courier preset enforcing the rules will get their game in this tournament.' Ha-ha! :))) LOL!!!
'Vitya: Modern chess was suggested in this posting.' It was said about Shatranj. Modern Shatranj. 'I think it’s perfectly fair to demand anyone who wants their variant played here to either make a full rules-enforcing game courier preset' I'm not a programmer. It's not a big problem for Fergus, I hope.
'Anyhow, I thought Jose proposed Modern Chess a while ago.' He proposed Ajax Chess or Ajax Random Chess.
On Circular Chess. 'Also, there is no en-passant capture. (This was because the inventor didn't like this rule.)' http://www.chessvariants.org/shape.dir/circular.html Ha-ha! Lol! En-passant is a important thing in chess. In Circular Chess where row of pawn is 4 not eight it's more important thing against drawish wall of pawns. There is no problem do you like it or not. It's an important rule. So, I cannot agree with the inventor of Circular Chess. But it's not a big problem. We can play it without en-passant or with it... It's playable.
'...and it should be programmed on Game Courier before the start of the tournament. I am able to program the rules for games you may not be able to, but if I can't do it, and no one else can, then the game won't make it.' You need to read more attentive. Nobody told that we'll play presets without rules enforcement. Question is who will program the rules?! As I understand Fergus can do this.
'18 rounds is very ambitious. If it's an introductory tournament to chess variants then one should perhaps have fewer rounds. It's easier for people to sign up if it's not that time-demanding.' Agree. 12 looks better. 'I change my choice for Euchess since it also can be useful as an introductory variant.' Hm... What sense to play two variants with chancellors and cardinals only? (Capa variant and Euchess). Both are large variants. Yes, Euchess is larger, but main idea is the same. Symmetric chess was interesting because of introducing bishop-conversion rule.
As Mats said: 'If it's an introductory tournament to chess variants then one should perhaps have fewer rounds. It's easier for people to sign up if it's not that time-demanding.' I agree with this. 'if anyone doesn’t like the games, or what not, they are free to withdraw from the tournament.' I think it's not your problem.
'Lol, Fergus, I am often known to take 12 to 24 days to make a move. My typical game plays with a grace time of 3 weeks and no other time at all.' I can make a move several months. But this tournament is not for such games. So, you must make moves quicker than usually.
Clarification of rules by Peter Gelman. Flight: Movement From the Cloud Boards 'A disk starting movement on a Cloud square must note the color of the square first; it may fly to any empty square on the Earth board of the same color, or the other Cloud’s square of the same color if it is empty.' For example, Red Monkey King is on R-101. From R-101 Monkey King can fly to all White Earth squares: a1, a3, a5, a7; b2, b4, b6, b8, etc. Also to White Goblin Cloud square R-100. So, a player can move piece from his Cloud to opponent territory (5-8 ranks in this example).
What castling rule is for Modern Carrera's Chess? 3->Rook?
I have this problem too. /play/pbm/play.php?game=Almost+Chess&log=makov333-cvgameroom-2009-251-884
Thanks. Fergus, I can playtest Circular Chess preset with you when it will be ready.
Just made a board for Circular Chess. Decided to play: 1) with en-passant 2) with null moves allowed
'Why allowing null moves? Isn't that just like a 'pass'?' Yes, it's something like that. But player must have an open line, a rook or a queen for that. If you have this (Made this specially) - why not? Logically, this move is correct on this board. My board doesn't look so pretty! 'The one game I played, against Graeme Neatham, I was in a constant state of panic.' Joe, it's for the first time. Rooks and Queen are so mobile. Bishops are not mobile as in Chess. If they come from one part, it's difficult to replace them to other part for attack. Rooks need an open line. I think the game is more drawish, than Chess. My opinion on pieces: Knight - 2 pawns Bishop - 2 pawns Rook - 6 pawns Queen - 9 pawns
Because I don't like to play without en-passant. :) Author of the rules didn't like en-passant, I like it. About null moves I wrote before. What problem with my logic in null moves allowing? Null move - is not a pass. It differs from a simple pass. I change it for my playing. I don't offer to change oficial rules of Circular Chess.
Another clarification. Monkey King cannot capture piece using Monkey Fist if for the first move it moves Cloud off. So, such move: M Q-101 - b5 (Cloud off) and from b5 capture a piece on c6 (using Fist for this move) - (b5:c6) is incorrect! Because, 'No piece may make a capture when they fly to or from a cloud'.
Few clarifications from Gary: 1) Troy Horse can leave an Archer on a bridge square. 2) Ram can shoot from Catapult. After this Ram must be removed from the board, Catapult must remain on the board. Very interesting game of Catapults: /play/pbm/play.php?game=Catapults+of+Troy&log=makov333-nickwolffrated-2009-245-443
'When you flip and move a piece off a Magic River square, does it stay flipped? Or does it turn back to the original side?' Stays flipped. (The inventor)
'you may flip the disk and simultaneously move it according to that new game piece's abilities' >Does it mean that I can flip and make a move with flipped piece in one move? Yes. If that side has its Pilgrim or Goblin King on board, his/her flippable pieces on the magic river can flip identity and move as the flipped piece, or not flip and move as the original piece--they have the potentially as either. 'On the other hand, when a piece stands on a magic river square, it attains the powers of both sides of its disk, making it a doubly powerful piece with (in a way) two simultaneous but separate identities. This can lead to opportunistic flipping, perhaps the happiest moments in the game. If your Pilgrim or Goblin King isn’t on the board, you deny your forces this power.'
Bungalow Shatranj Tactics. Standart ways to promote your pawn to Assistant. Please look at: http://bungalow-shatranj.blogspot.com/2010/02/bungalow-shatranj-tactics-standart-ways.html
Fergus, I changed Circular Chess board JPG Quality from 50 to 100 and it looks pretty nice now. Can you change it as default? I cannot do this in the game I'm playing.
Circular Chess with Boyscounts: /play/pbm/play.php?game%3DCircular+Chess%26settings%3Dboyscount
Fergus, I will go from this site... So please freeze time in my tournament games.
I'm not sure that game is so unbalanced. But I made another preset which looks the best. It is really full Shogi army with two Golds. Two Golds are same as two knights. Two lances are same as two elephants. Two honorable horses are same as one ferz. Two Silvers are same as one rook. So Percian army have advantage - one rook. Also shatranjian pawns are stronger, in my opinion. But Shogi army have big advantage in large promotion zone, and promotes to piece which is stronger than ferz. /play/pbm/play.php?game=Ancient+Civilization&settings=default
Rules: Pilgrim - king that cannot capture pieces (from Monkey King chess). Rook, Knight, Monkey (ferz) moves as in Shatranj. Picket moves as a modern bishop, except that it always must move at least two squares. So it's a bishop minus ferz. Can be blocked at ferz-distance (cannot leap). (from Tamerlane chess). Promotion rules mainly from Chaturanga with changes. Pawns can promote when they arrive at the last rank of the board, but only to the type of piece that was on the promotion-square in the opening setup, e.g., a white pawn that moves to b8 can only promote to a knight. Doesn't matter the player already lost a piece of this type or not. King pawn may promote only in same case... if pawn stands on e7(e2) and Pilgrim is mated. In this case player places pawn on e8(e1) and pawn promotes to new Pilgrim. Other rules as in Shatranj exept stalemate is a draw. /play/pbm/play.php?game%3DMidnight+Shatranj%26settings%3Ddefault02
There must be many diagrams. Without it I understand nothing.))
Excellent idea! There is also one kind of royal pieces. I'm talking about Pielgrym from Monkey King Chess. It moves like king, but cannot capture. I think it has the power of royal wazir ))) truly, it has no power because cannot capture), but has much more mobility than wazir. When I made Maorider King, I was inspired by this piece.
Hi! I would like to participate. My favourite is: Berolina, Korean (or Chinese), Embassy, Eurasian, Circular, Courier, CWDA.
Ok. Lets try)
Chess with a small modification:Berolina Chess,Fischer Random Chess,Switching Chess,Extinction Chess,Marseillais Chess.
Regional variant:Jangii (Korean Chess), Xiangqi (Chinese Chess),Makruk (Thai Chess),Shogi (Japanese Chess)
Capablanca variant:Embassy Chess,Janus Chess,Capablanca Chess,Victorian Chess,Grotesque Chess.
Decimal variant:Eurasian Chess,Unicorn Great Chess,Grand Chess,Omega Chess,Opulent Chess.
Alternate geometry:Circular Chess,McCooey's Hexagonal Chess,Glinski's Hexagonal Chess,Diamond Chess,Cylindrical Chess.
Historical game:Courier Chess,Shatranj,Los Alamos Chess,Grande Acedrex,Chu Shogi
Recognized variant grab-bag:Chess with Different Armies,Wildebeest Chess,Pocket Mutation Chess,Alice Chess,Ultima
Thanks everyone! It was very interesting. The games which was most interesting to me are Chinese Chess (wonderful endgame), Eurasian Chess, Courier Chess and Wildebeest Chess. Special thanks to my opponents in it.
What happened with this game?: /play/pbm/play.php?game=Fischer+Random+Chess&log=panther-cvgameroom-2018-112-736&userid=makov333
I want to make castling in this game: https://www.chessvariants.com/play/pbm/play.php?game=Capablanca+Random+Chess&log=makov333-cvgameroom-2020-117-516 but cannot do this because of preset. can someone help me?
after move N 7g-5j; +n-dest this preset doesnt work https://www.chessvariants.com/play/pbm/play.php?game=Hex+Shogi+91&log=makov333-cvgameroom-2023-19-928
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