I didn't even know this game existed and it shares a lot of similarities of a game that I invented, so I shot out an open invite to play it.  Maybe I could provide some strategy feedback after a game.

Ok, so I've been on a good venture trying to figure out how to code a Rose.  With the help of Fergus, I have learned about the logride function and after lots of experimenting on format, I discovered how to do it!  I successfully did one leg (out of 16) of the Rose's pathways, but when I tried to add a second leg, the code stops functioning as if the piece had no moves at all.  I'll copy the partial code used.

def RO logride #0 #1 (ro1 ro5 ro7 ro3 ro4 ro8 ro6) or logride #0 #1 (ro1 ro2 ro6 ro8 ro4 ro3 ro7);
def ROL merge lograys #0 (ro1 ro5 ro7 ro3 ro4 ro8 ro6 stop) lograys #0 (ro1 ro2 ro6 ro8 ro4 ro3 ro7 stop);

The ro#'s are previously defined and mapped to each individual knight moves so I can use the logride command.  I believe the problem lies in the ROL function, but I can't find any mispellings, errors in the merge command, etc.  It all worked fine until I added the second logride and logray.  Any assistance would be appreciated!

Also, any suggestions on code condensing on this point?  Am I able to create a function for each leg without having a piece on the board to name the function after?

Fergus,

I finally finished my first presets that enforce rules.  The game was for one that I created presets for before, so modifying that page with the updated presets wasn't a problem for me.  If I wanted to, though, code a rule enforcing preset for a game that I did not do the preset page for, what is the process for that?  Do I have to submit a brand new preset page, notify the person who did the preset originally, notify an editor, or obtain permissions to edit the page?  

I was thinking about upping the challenge to "Chess on a Really Big Board" since I am playing a game of it already.  Jeremy Good originally did the first preset and settings file and is no longer active on the site.  Are you wanting the original settings file altered or a new one created?  Thanks!

-Nick

Figured I'd try to program something VERY easy to learn how to do this.  Boy, was I in for a surprise.  I'm trying to 10-Directional Chess, which only replaces two pieces.  I've canabilized a ton of Fergus's code, looked through many other variants as examples (Sac Chess, Shogi, Opulant Chess, and Chess).  A few questions have come up that I can't locate the answers for.

First, I'm having a lot of issues defining a new function for piece movement involving a piece with a designator more than one character long.  Every include file that I look into has single character designators, but they also have their own piece sets or just a few pieces in the set.  If I were to declare a function for (lets say) _NW_EH in the Alfaerie: Many set, it doesn't let recognize the piece, even if I alias it.  If I were to just simply replace _NW_EH for E, it works perfectly.  Do I have to have a new piece set created to avoid this issue or is there a simpler fix that does not involve alerting an editor every time I try to code from Alfaerie: Many?

Second, in those functions are several parts.  Using the Sac Chess Rook/Ferz compound as an example: 

def G checkride #0 #1 1 0 or checkleap #0 #1 1 1;
def GL merge rays #0 1 0 leaps #0 1 1;

I understand that the #0 and #1 stand for the initial square moved and final square moved, but I don't understand how the 1's and 0's after those work exactly, though I have been able to fudge the results I want with those.  I also understand the functions with the L at the end is for finding revealed checks, but I don't know how to associate rays and leaps how they are supposed to.  I get that rays are for the checkrides and leaps for checkleaps.  Does it essentially match the previous function?

Thank you for any help provided!

-Nick

I've been away from my computer all day - rankings to come when I wake up!

I'm impartial.  I just like competitive play, so I'll be in no matter what format the tournament takes.

I do have one small question about the 8th category.  Will each participant submit, or be allowed to submit, a variant they invented or will it be a list of user created variants that is preselected?  Regardless, I suggest a consideration that the matches played from that category are not with variants invented by those players.  For instance, if one of my variants (let's say Mimic Chess) is in that category, in order to avoid any unfair advantages during the tournament, that variant cannot be played by myself in the tournament.  Not sure how the reception on that idea will be, since I know I'd love to play some of my variants in a tournament and I bet that sentiment is shared amongst other inventors - especially those with more prestigious reputations than my own. 

Great idea, Greg!  Count me in with lower time controls until I get into a good routine withe the new baby

Hi Jeffrey and thank you for your comments!

I'll answer your questions here and then clarify in the rules.  The Mimics are all independant of each other - only the capturing Mimic changes after it captures, the other one does not, nor the Mimics in the other army.  The transformation is immediate after that capture, so it ends the turn transformed.

For example, if each side has 2 Mimic Kings and black uses one to capture a Knight, then White still has 2 Mimic Kings and black has 1 Mimic King and 1 Mimic Knight.  These transformations are mandatory.

I hope you enjoy the game and if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

-Nick

I have a couple of hopefully quick questions.  First, I hope I am not blind.  I have been searching high and low and trying to avoid embarrasing myself by asking - but what is the proper way to create a preset.  I don't see any links for a blank one.  What I have been doing is canabalizing existing ones (which may indeed be the source of all my frustrations to begin with).

Second, I am trying to learn how to code presets.  I'm not doing anything totally difficult to start out with (adding pieces, emptying squares, the say and echo commands, etc.).  I've done some work on a preset, but now whenever I try to update/save/run/test, it loads for 3-5 minutes and then comes up with a page that states this: 

A 500 error has occured

500 errors are generally caused by one of the following two problems.

1) A bad entry in the site .htaccess file, if you are the webmaster try logging into your cPanel, and use the file manager to rename your .htaccess file if this fixes the error you should then check the contents of the .htaccess file / roll back any recent changes.

2) A php error / code error also causes a 500 error, you can try enabling 'PHP display_errors' by following this guide Enable Display errors

If after trying both of the above solutions and you are still seeing the 500 error please do contact support"

I don't understand a word of it lol.  The rest of the site works fine so I'm wondering what if that is becuase my coding is bad, if the site is experiencing technical trouble on that side of it, or if it is because I'm canabalizing a preset.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

-Nick