From: Colin Paul Adams COLINA DEMON CO UK> Date: 8 feb 1999 Subject: Chu Shogi >>>>> "Larry" == Larry Kaufman WIZARD NET> writes: Larry> variety of moves of the different promoted and unpromoted Larry> pieces is far more than anyone would ever need to enjoy the Possibly true. Larry> game, and simply serves to lower the standard of play by Larry> making it difficult to ever become proficient with all the Larry> different pieces. I have to disagree here. It doesn't take very long at all, if you are prepared to put in a little effort. Studying the mating problems helps here (and is a great delight (to me - it's the only game in which I really ENJOY studying problems)). Larry> so I'll give Chu half credit here. As for strategical Larry> principles, in my opinion there are not so many here, as Larry> the tactical element seems to dominate the game, but I'll This just isn't so. Chu is predominantly a strategic game. However, in practice games are often decided by tactical blunders, but that is because people don't play it enough. I'll just reel off a list of strategic principles from the top of my head: Centralise your lion in a forward position. Force the opposing lion into a passive position. Attack on the side of the enemy king. Keep your king in the centre. Keep your strong pieces in the rear until the endgame. Create a strong pawn centre - reinforced by the step movers. Clear the third and fourth ranks as a moat to stop the Lion advancing. Don't attack without support. Try to promote a vertical mover in the middle game. Try to promote the phoenix in the early end game. Advance side movers to the fourth rank. Always know where you are going to move your lion, in the face of any possible move by your opponent. NEVER waste a tempo. Save your clock time for the endgame (and so, play quickly in the opening). That should do for starters. -- Colin Paul Adams Preston Lancashire