How about a game of Japanese Chess, i.e. Shogi? Now playing Shogi4 — Page 18

B-4d

I find it interesting how long even such a small game can last in shogi-land.

darth_ender said:

B-4d

I find it interesting how long even such a small game can last in shogi-land.

 Yes, I'm glad this game has lasted this long so far.

S*3b

Sorry, I thought this had posted, but I sat down to watch Inception, and realized it hadn't after the movie. :(

It makes it fun, IMO.  It just goes to show how much complexity can be put into shogi based games.  Soon I will teach you a variant I designed that is very unique in nature, if you're still interested by that point.  It has some unique geometry and would be a terrible game for a chess variant, but it works out rather well for shogi, I believe.

Anyway, S*3d.  The more this game progresses, the more I value the knight above what I value them in regular shogi.  Though they only have access to two squares each move, their unique move is impossible to block and has a far and unique reach, making them a threat in such close quarters to all pieces, even rooks and bishops.

I know, I'm rambling a lot.  There is a fantastic program called shogivar that was programmed back in the late 90s.  Sadly, it doesn't work on 64 bit operating systems like I'm running (Windows 7).  However, I discovered another amazing bit of software called VirtualBox that allows me to emulate other operating systems.  It's truly amazing.  Right now I'm running XP within Windows 7, and I've just installed a few shogi programs including shogivar that no longer work.  Very cool stuff!  It makes me happy to see these old bits of software working again.  What operating system are you using?

darth_ender said:

It makes it fun, IMO.  It just goes to show how much complexity can be put into shogi based games.  Soon I will teach you a variant I designed that is very unique in nature, if you're still interested by that point.  It has some unique geometry and would be a terrible game for a chess variant, but it works out rather well for shogi, I believe.

Sure, I wouldn't mind trying it when we get that far.

Anyway, S*3d.  

K-2b

The more this game progresses, the more I value the knight above what I value them in regular shogi.  Though they only have access to two squares each move, their unique move is impossible to block and has a far and unique reach, making them a threat in such close quarters to all pieces, even rooks and bishops.

Yes, and you have (one of) mine pinned right now. :(

I know, I'm rambling a lot.  There is a fantastic program called shogivar that was programmed back in the late 90s.  Sadly, it doesn't work on 64 bit operating systems like I'm running (Windows 7).  However, I discovered another amazing bit of software called VirtualBox that allows me to emulate other operating systems.  It's truly amazing.  Right now I'm running XP within Windows 7, and I've just installed a few shogi programs including shogivar that no longer work.  Very cool stuff!  It makes me happy to see these old bits of software working again.  What operating system are you using?

 I am also running Windows 7 right now. I may already have VirtualBox installed on my laptop since my Dad uses it to play his old computer games (the laptop was originally his). It's a neat program, that's for sure.

R-2e check

Well, if your dad indeed does have that VirtualBox or something similar installed on his computer, I encourage you to check out Steve Evans' ShogiVar.  It plays many of the games you might otherwise have a hard time getting access to.  I also have a couple of other programs you might be interested in.  I can send you an email, or perhaps upload them to a sharing site (they're pretty small).  One is a three player variant and one is a four player variant.

K-1c

Sx3c

Sx3c

I don't think I can hold out much longer.

Probably not much.  Bx3c

S*2d

Rx2d

G-3b

N*2e mate.

How did you like it?  Was it worth trying out?  I know I made a list of games I'm interested in, but we don't have to go in the order I suggested.  I'd like to let you pick the next one.  It doesn't even have to be from this list, but since the smaller games are usually shorter, I thought it'd be good to try as many as we could of those first.  But feel free to suggest any shogi variant you'd like to try.

I think it was fun. I prefer a larger game, but small games are nice and quick. I think I'd like to try Minishogi next, since we'll be deprived of our knights, which you are better able to use to your advantage than I.

You go first.

Alright.  Seriously, if you prefer, we can try a larger game next.  But for now, B-1d

No, I'm fine with a mini game (I'm not doing it to make you happy :)).

G-2b

Bx4a

Rx4a

G-4d

S-3b

I can't access anything useful here at work to assist me to play the game, so I'm going off a quick diagram, and hopefully I don't make any errors.  S-3d

No worries if you do.

P-1c

B*5b

R-5a

G-5c