From: Michael Vanier BBB CALTECH EDU> Date: 31 jan 1999 Subject: Re: Taikyoku shogi laboring > X-Originating-Ip: [209.207.0.55] > Content-Type: text/plain > Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 15:09:44 PST > Reply-To: The Shogi Discussion List techunix technion ac il> > Sender: The Shogi Discussion List techunix technion ac il> > From: Luke Merritt HOTMAIL COM> > [snip] > > I must also state that while I believe the moves listed in the taikyoku > rules for the vermillion sparrow, white tiger, blue dragon, and turtle > snake are correct, for the sake of symmetry I feel that the turtle snake > should be paired with the vermillion sparrow and the blue dragon with > the white tiger, as opposed to what is listed in the initial setup (this > goes for tai shogi, as well). > To quote George Hodges "symmetry is a concept the Japanese do not like", so be careful before jumping to conclusions. However, it's true that typically in the big shogis there is either a pronounced symmetry with only a few pieces not duplicated (e.g. Chu shogi) or a pronounced asymmetry (e.g. Wa shogi, Dai-dai shogi). It comes down to whether you think the pattern makes sense, and (of course) whether it plays well. The latter might take you a while to figure out... > > Some of you may think that this is all a waste of time because the game > is so huge...maybe it is, but then again, I find all of the shogi > variants much more interesting than western chess, regardless of whether > or not a game can be played in one sitting. > > --Luke > Each to his own, of course. Personally I don't have much interest in playing the largest variants as they stand, but they're still fascinating from a game-design standpoint. And, of course, my suggestion for multiple moves per turn might make them playable after all :-) Certainly any of the shogis make western chess seem rather dull by comparison. Mike