M Winther wrote on Sun, Apr 16, 2006 06:32 PM UTC:
Hi Joe!
This was exactly what I expected, that more cunning persons would inform
me whether the piece is unique or not. Anyway, 'Mammoth' is a good name
and I think I'll keep it. I have already updated my homepage with the
information you relate. (Is this piece in the Piece-encyclopedia?)
I think highly of this piece. I *suspect* it is worth the same as a rook,
but I'm not certain. It covers at most 16 squares. The rook covers at
most 18 squares on the 10x10 board, but the Mammoth can be more active.
The Zillions engine regards the Mammoth as more valuable than the rook, so
I had to tweak the engine to accept it as equal to the rook. The games that
I've played with the computer seems to validate this. But on an 8x8
board I suspect it's worth more than a rook. On the 10x10 board the
long-ranged rook increases its value, I'd guess.