From: "Randal J. Andrews" <tiger22 <at> IX <dot> NETCOM <dot> COM>
Date: 24 oct 1995
Subject: Re: Variants

>
>Maybe this person could also write a chinese-chess program that plays
>on squares and uses standard western chess symbols for the pieces?

>What is the point? (((((Pun intended???)))) Is playing on the points
>REALLY so hard to live with?? As for the symbols, well, really... it
>shouldn't take more than a couple of games, should it?

For on-line play (of Chinese chess or shogi for that matter) I prefer
not to deal with calligraphy.  Shogi master has a nice interface with
english letters for the pieces.  I use this exclusively, even though I
know the Japanese pieces on my set very well.  For Chinese chess, not
only is there calligraphy, but each side has different symbols.  I
probably will never meet anyone in person who plays Chinese chess, so
why should I bother with it?  I can play on-line,on squares, with chess
symbols and you can play on-line using traditional symbols and points
and we can both play happily.  I forgot also to mention I'd prefer the
use of algebraic notation versus the traditional method.  The computer
won't ask and won't tell.  I should probably post these suggestions
(heresies) on the rec.games.chinese-chess and see if I spark any
flames!