Shatranj and Shogi are consecutive entries in the alphabetized listing of recognized variants, but to combine them like this is a very original idea. Like those two games, this one has a variety of short-range pieces with only a few powerful long-range ones. The Trojan Horse will add another layer of strategy to the game: with most of the pieces beginning off the board, should one deploy them early in order to control territory and build a solid defense, or keep them inside the Horse in order to strike a crushing blow from behind the enemy's walls?
I like the inclusion of the Wazir, Ferz, Camel, and Elephant. These pieces form a natural sequence: two Wazir's moves at right angles make a Ferz's move, two Ferz's moves at right angles make a Camel's move, and two Camel's moves at right angles make an Elephant's move. That makes me wonder, though, whether the Trojan Horse should contain a Bishop instead of a Knight. Or maybe I just think that because I missed the Bishops while playing Shatranj recently.
Speaking of which, the inclusion of drops will of course prevent the game from ending in a long slow war of attrition.
I would probably play quite badly at first, but I'd love to try this game.
I like the inclusion of the Wazir, Ferz, Camel, and Elephant. These pieces form a natural sequence: two Wazir's moves at right angles make a Ferz's move, two Ferz's moves at right angles make a Camel's move, and two Camel's moves at right angles make an Elephant's move. That makes me wonder, though, whether the Trojan Horse should contain a Bishop instead of a Knight. Or maybe I just think that because I missed the Bishops while playing Shatranj recently.
Speaking of which, the inclusion of drops will of course prevent the game from ending in a long slow war of attrition.
I would probably play quite badly at first, but I'd love to try this game.