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I would have to agree that the Cavalier (Gryphon + Aanca) is a kind of
extreme piece, but if you look at Ralph Betza's note on the value of such
<a href='../piececlopedia.dir/bent-riders.html'>Bent Riders</a>, you will
see that he rates such a piece as being worth slightly less than an
Amazon (Queen + Knight) on an 8x8 board [Although honestly requires me to
add that Ralph himself is not entirely convinced of his piece evaluation
system, although in my experiance it is at least approximately right most
of the time]. On a 10x10 board the Cavalier gains some additional value,
while the Amazon would probably break even (Queen components gain in value,
Knight components lose in value) -- so call the Cavalier a rough equivalent
of an Amazon.
<p>
Now, would two Amazons be too strong for a 10x10 board? It comes down to
a matter of taste I suppose, but I have to suspect that as Tony Paletta
noted in a comment on <a href='../large.dir/full-double-chess.html'>Full
Double Chess</a>, their presence would tend to
reduce the minor pieces to cannon fodder (although there is fun to be had
with weak pieces).
<p>
In any case, I rather like your idea of substituting Cooked Bishops -- the
world needs more games with Crooked Bishops (and where, you may ask are
<em>your</em> games with Crooked Bishops, Mr. Aronson? Err, well, the
<a href='../dpieces.dir/fighting-fizzies.html'>Fighting Fizzies</a> have
a WzFF as a Queen, and otherwise, they're all in the future . . .)
<hr>
I'm commenting on your comment here, rather than by e-mail as you suggested
as that way other people can join in the discussion and have fun.
A drunken Bishop first makes an F move in a random direction; if the square chosen is off the board or is occupied by a friendly piece, the move is over; if the target is occupied by foe, capture, move over; if target is empty, repeat the process.
<p>A Cooked Bishop is quite another story. I cannot say how it moves until you specify whether it is stewed, fried, sauteed, steamed, or baked.
<p>'The Cavalier may not move to an adjacent square'. This makes it quite a bit weaker than the combination of Gryphon + Aanca; value is Q or even less, I guess. I never liked this rule, but it keeps popping up as a way of limiting the strength of the Gryphon. I suppose it creates interesting situations. I'll have to think about it some more.
<p>The NAD (named the Castle in this game) should have roughly the same value as the NB. on 8x8 board, that is.
<p>The stretched Knights are weak and awkward, and if they don't fork something in the opening they don't add much to your force. As defensive blocking pieces their long moves are an awkwardness and a liability; but if the game as a whole works out, this awkwardness may be a very pleasing element. I wouldn't design it that way because it would need more playtesting; but 'it's a local favorite', so it has evidently been well tested.
Not really fond of western chess as a rule.
I really like this version though, as well as Tamerlane and Pacific.
Mideast is my favorite decimal Tamerlane, but I am making some changes for my second addition to Grand Chess & Beyond, "Grand Tamerlane". First, upgrading to a Wizard (FL) and a Sorcerer (WJ). Second, simplifying the Cavalier to a Griffon. And finally, I personally like the Pasha/Mastadon better than the a Squirrel, but I am using the Jumping General name for alphabetical reasons and I am a fan of Joe Joyce's work.
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