From: teruko <teruko <at> PO2 <dot> NSKNET <dot> OR <dot> JP>
Date: 31 mar 1999
Subject: variant preference

Most of the postings about shogi variants that I have seen on this list
have been concerned with the larger variants. I only recently became
aware of microshogi and kyoto shogi, both of which seem to be very
interesting. I wonder if my ignorance of the existence of these smaller
variants stems from a greater publicity awarded to historical variants,
has there been a tendency to concentrate on what may appear to be more
serious, less childish games, or have I merely been exposed to
inappropriate sources? From a reply of Larry K.'s to a mail I posted re.
shuffle shogi it might be possible to infer that one of the appeals of
shogi variants is that one is unlikely to find oneself confronted by an
opponent with superior book. Perhaps this attitude becomes more secure
as the size of the game increases. Mention has also been made of the
amount of time it may require in order to complete a game in the larger
variants, is one's preference for a particular variant founded on the
amount of time one would like to devote to a game (this could be another
manifestation of seriousness). Then again it may be that the smaller
games by their very nature need less to be said about them. In short I'm
interested in anybody's views on the psychology behind their "variant
preference". I'm also interested in trying some games of kyoto shogi
with anyone who claims a suitable preference.
That it's the 1st of April is purely coincidental.
>From Michael Sandeman.