I think I may agree. It means fewer pieces see the light of day, but I think it's better that way. A weaker game is usually a longer game with more strategic thinking involved. I could not have checkmated you on this last move if I could only drop the goose, for instance.

I also am thinking that it might be better to switch the values of the reverse chariot/silver cannon. I have hardly used the cannon since our first game, yet the chariot has actually proved very powerful in the right circumstances. Switching the two might force more cannon usage and give the piece the opportunity to get closer to the front lines in the early game (since the chariot can't get to the front till captured and dropped, except in very rare circumstances when all pieces in front of it are captured. So I think we should make that change and the drop and demoted value, and I think we'll be good. Do you think we should still have alternating promotions/demotions, or shoudl we go back to permanent promotions? I think I like the alternating better, but I want to know what you think.