📝M Winther wrote on Mon, Nov 17, 2008 01:43 PM UTC:
Creating chess variants can be compared to creating chess problems, or solving crosswords. It's a challenge for the intellect and it's not intended as a challenge against Fide-chess, (although a discussion about a reformation of chess will always continue). It is a mathematical passion, similar to chess problems, which is fantasy chess positions, far removed from standard chess. It is a distraction, and it satisfies a somewhat understimulated intellect. The idea that every chess variant creator suffers from megalomania, and expects his variant to be embraced by the chess community, is bunkum. As long as it is remains a peripheral activity in one's life, like solving crosswords, then it cannot be regarded as self-indulgence. I, for one, have no expectancy that anybody is going to try any of my ZoG programs. But since I enjoy programming and testing them, then it's no harm to publish them.
/Mats