Hey Aurelian, as I have said before, I have the deepest respect for all the work you are putting into the programming of this very nice game of yours.
In the games we recently played, it was an interesting tactical feature in the opening game that you had to free up the best possible square for the drop of the Joker within 8-12 moves, but the rest game had so much to offer, that you definitely can live without that feature..
The new starting set-up of the board looks a little odd to me. I think I would prefer the King back on rank 2 and 9. Then maybe the Joker can be placed on a brouhaha square (either an extra square or instead of a Champion). That would give some of the same tactical considerations as in the original game, as to when and how you should 'enter the board' mimicking with the Joker.
But most of all I have to agree with the (deciding ?!) point on your pro and con-list.: EASIER programming.
Btw, have you seen the piece description of the game JESTER CHESS ? There is a very clear and understandable definition of that game's Joker/Fool/Jester. It's a weaker (and more boring, IMO) Joker (not having full capturing ability), but it has some good points about mimicking a promoting pawn or a king..
Hey Aurelian, as I have said before, I have the deepest respect for all the work you are putting into the programming of this very nice game of yours.
In the games we recently played, it was an interesting tactical feature in the opening game that you had to free up the best possible square for the drop of the Joker within 8-12 moves, but the rest game had so much to offer, that you definitely can live without that feature..
The new starting set-up of the board looks a little odd to me. I think I would prefer the King back on rank 2 and 9. Then maybe the Joker can be placed on a brouhaha square (either an extra square or instead of a Champion). That would give some of the same tactical considerations as in the original game, as to when and how you should 'enter the board' mimicking with the Joker.
But most of all I have to agree with the (deciding ?!) point on your pro and con-list.: EASIER programming.
Btw, have you seen the piece description of the game JESTER CHESS ? There is a very clear and understandable definition of that game's Joker/Fool/Jester. It's a weaker (and more boring, IMO) Joker (not having full capturing ability), but it has some good points about mimicking a promoting pawn or a king..
Best wishes, Thor.