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Doug,

Thanks for the suggestion.

Larry, 

You got me! This is what could be called the 'Zillions Effect.' I
usually design my games in Zillions first and then write the article. I
initially wanted to have the game work like you suggest, but I could not
think of an easy way to program it. 

Instead, I created a special random-moving (?)neutral pin piece that
toggles through a special move direction from an 8x8 corner to a single
10x10 corner to a single 12x12 corner and back to the 8x8 corner. The pin
makes a random, but unidirectional, move automatically before White. Each
piece has to verify the location of the pin piece before moving into the
corresponding board area. The corner pin is also a visual reminder for the
players. Simple. 

However, I could not think of a move direction that reverses from the
12x12 corner back to 10x10 back to 8x8, or another simple method to move
the pin in a reversing way! 

So, I decided to abandon the reversing rule in the interest of programming
simplicity!! Oh scandal, to let computer considerations determine the rules
of chess! Ok -- I'm not a purist. I'll post the ZRF soon.

Here's another idea:

Instead of returning from the 12x12 turn directly to the 8x8 turn, the
sequence might be 8x8 to 10x10 to 12x12 to 10x10 to 8x8, etc.  A sorta
in-and-out effect.

This would make the 8x8 and 12x12 phase every fourth turn, and the 10x10
every other turn.  Pieces located on the edge of the 12x12 field would be
immobile for an extra turn.

Larry,

Interesting ideas. I think that these options are certainly viable
variants. The one that is most intriguing is that of promotion on the far
rank, since it goes with the overall theme.

Or, to be really mean, promotion might be only allowed on the far rank of
the currently active field.

Then might a player promote a Pawn which is located on that far rank
without moving it?

[Forgive my babbling.]

Just an idea:

I understand the mandatory rule of Pawn promotion in this game, but I was
thinking that this restriction might be too strict.

Since Pawns are still able to perform moves from the 8x8 and 10x10, might
the promotion be mandatory only when they reach the far rank of the 12x12.
 They would still have the option of promoting on the far ranks of the 8x8
and 10x10.  Thus if a Pawn performs a capture into the 10x10 and 12x12
area of the field, it would be forced to reach the far rank of that
particular field to obtain the privilege.

Or like Shogi, the promotion zone could be considered to be three ranks
deep.

But given the option, might a player automatically promote their eligible
Pawn?  Are there any potential positions where leaving a Pawn un-promoted
is an advantage?

Larry,

Both of these questions relate to how check functions. If the win
condition were capture of the King, it would not be in doubt. I think one
has to think of check as the potential for capture that must be
prevented.
However, it must be prevented only when potential capture is imminent.
That means, only when the relevant board is in play. I'll have to think
through the specific cases. 

I'm working on a Zillions implementation of this game. I wonder if the
checkmate condition will handle check this way!

Thanks!

Does a piece located on the 8x8 or 10x10 field check a King located on the
edge of the 12x12 field when not in the 12x12 turn?

And, if a King is located on the edge of the 12x12 field and it is checked
by another piece located on the edge of the 12x12 field is it considered
mated?

I'm sure that the answer to these questions is 'No', but just need
clarification.  The game does offer some interesting positions.