Indeed, I agree with what you say here. I like to have a better balance between light and heavy pieces. It is easier to gain a weak piece than a strong one, and if there are too few weak pieces (or none left) then it becomes difficult to increase your advantage. This is one of the reasons end-games without Pawns are so drawish.
The large Shogi variants are overdoing it, though, by having too many excessively weak pieces (like the Shogi Knight, or Stone General, with just two moves). And many of the somewhat stronger pieces are steppers, which take a long time to move to where the action is. There is something to be said for Camels and Zebras on large boards!
I am starting to feel quite good about this latest setup. I should still play test it though, at the very least as computer self play. I can try to make the Diagram play against itself, but I am not sure it would be strong enough at affordable thinking times.
Indeed, I agree with what you say here. I like to have a better balance between light and heavy pieces. It is easier to gain a weak piece than a strong one, and if there are too few weak pieces (or none left) then it becomes difficult to increase your advantage. This is one of the reasons end-games without Pawns are so drawish.
The large Shogi variants are overdoing it, though, by having too many excessively weak pieces (like the Shogi Knight, or Stone General, with just two moves). And many of the somewhat stronger pieces are steppers, which take a long time to move to where the action is. There is something to be said for Camels and Zebras on large boards!
I am starting to feel quite good about this latest setup. I should still play test it though, at the very least as computer self play. I can try to make the Diagram play against itself, but I am not sure it would be strong enough at affordable thinking times.