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Derek Nalls wrote on Thu, May 3, 2007 07:55 PM UTC:Good ★★★★
Yes, the original pawns in chess are poorly designed and an improved buffer piece ('pawn', if you wish) will improve the game significantly. Winther's analyses are typically sound and I trust that he has accomplished 'improved chess' with the substitution of the 'improved pawn'.

There are many different ways to modify a pawn or design a buffer piece, though. I think some are even better than the way Winther has invented.

1. Please check-out the archived discussion entitled Alternative Pawns

2. Please download and study the variants of Opti Chess that feature 'ortho pawns' and 'lateral pawns' from Zillions Of Games

3. Please read The Reasons Behind Opti Chess
esp. from the 6th paragraph to its end where the value of pawn protection at the starting position to stable game design is explained.

Note that 'ortho pawns' and 'lateral pawns' improve game stability, increase the defensive strength of both players and reduce the first-move-of-the-game-advantage (for white) by protecting each other at the starting position.

Please consider admitting variants of Improved Chess that include 'ortho pawns' and 'lateral pawns'?

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