From: Arnoud Kleynjan IXDIRECT COM> Date: 19 mar 2001 Subject: Re: Colored pieces... hmmm... Hi Kerry, > The colors sound pretty much as I had originally imagined them, except that > black seems like too strong a color for a weak piece like the pawn -- I > suggest light brown. Also, I'd have the kings in white. For simplicity I > would still keep all promoted pieces with a gold spot on the reverse. I don't know about you but I see this as a training tool only. I don't expect everybody to switch to colored Shogi sets suddenly... In fact, I'd expect I wouldn't be allowed to use one in a tournament. As a learning tool, I think it's best to keep the number of colors down, and only use colours where they are really needed and helpfull to help the new player see what piece he's looking at. So if's not absolutely needed I wouldn't want to color every piece. Also, since "normal" pieces are black, I think all pieces that do not get the "added touch" (pawns, king) should be in black. The more such color-coded set looks like an ordinary set, the better. As for the actual colors, keeping in mind that most Shogi pieces are light coloured, I don't think white has enough contrast with the background. I agree with using something in gold for the promoted pieces that promote to a be a gold, but not for rook and bishop. That would suggest they somehow gained a gold's move, which isn't true (a promoted rook can move backwards diagonally, while neither rook nor gold can) Anyway, before we set up a committee to decide on an international standard, someone should first test this on a couple of willing victims ;) Arnoud