How about a game of Japanese Chess, i.e. Shogi? Now playing Shogi4 — Page 51

P-18

I'm going to suggest moving the FS back to their old starting squares right behind the geese (it's funny, but geese sounds wrong when one is simply referring to shogi pieces).  My reason for this is because the silver cannon actually does a good job of getting in the way of the flying swallow.  If you wish to bring the cannon forward, it takes several moves and likely exposing it to early attacks if you want to simultaneously bring the swallow out.  And if you wish to bring the swallow out earlier, you have to retreat the silver cannon, making it take longer for it to be effective.  As the two strongest pieces in the game, I think they do a good job in that position interfering with each other and preventing a player from making too much use of them too early.  I might be wrong, but see what you think.  I want to read your thoughts before my next move.

I think you make some good points. Limiting those powerful pieces like that might allow the weaker pieces more action and prevent the powerful pieces from taking over right away. It also evens out the number of pieces on each colour of the squares, excluding the king.

I shall make the appropriate changes on my board, and my move remains the same.

Busy again today.  I'll be lucky to get a move in before I get home.  We'll see.  Glad you like the idea.  Did you test it out yourself and see what I mean?

I looked over the board and saw what you meant. Hopefully I'll be able to make a move tonight after I get back from Air Cadets, but if not, I'll see your move tomorrow.

Gs-4

Hope you had fun with the Air Cadets.  Was it a birthday present sort of thing?

No, no, I am an Air Cadet. :D I think it's different in the States (they put you in reserves when you turn 17 or something like that). In Canada we have Sea, Army, and Air Cadets which is for kids between the ages of 12 and 18, so it isn't training for the military, though you are encouraged to join after you leave Cadets. It's all covered by tax funding, so individual cadets don't have to pay anything. In Air Cadets, I could get my pilot's license if I wanted to and there are also Cadet music, sports, public speaking, aviation, survival, and leadership courses, all of which are free. It's very time consuming, but can be very rewarding as well.

P-17

Ah, I see.  Sort of like our JROTC.  Good for you.  That's awesome that you're involved in such a program. :)

Sorry I've been so busy lately.  Lots and lots and lots going on.

SC-6

HH-21

I had a fairly busy week too, so I hardly noticed your lack of posts. I had to work all day Tuesday as well as today, and I'll have to work tomorrow afternoon too. And there were two birthdays in my family, plus as all the stuff I normally do. I'm glad we're both busy at about the same time though. :)

Well, sounds like a busy week.  All that on top of school and Air Cadets, I'm sure you've been busy.  Hange in there :)

I can't help but wonder if you'd like to take back that last move.  It's certainly not the end of the world, but it looks like it might be an early mistake, and I'm sure you'd rather start off on the right foot.  FSx17+B.

Gs-28

I won't take my move back because I was aware of that danger. It was a risk I was willing to take, and I agree that it wasn't the greatest move I could have made. However, you can't do me any damage with your bishop without losing it and your SC is a safe distance away, so I think I'll be OK.

Fair enough.  SC-10

Gs-24

Bx21+FS

Tx21+S

Oops.  For some reason I looked at that and thought it was a pawn.  I didn't have it notated wrong, I was just being dumb.  So there's a freebie for you I guess.  I'm pretty much doomed after a move like that, but let's keep going.  K-2.

I wasn't bluffing when I said my HH was covered, you know. ;) Honestly, feel free to take it back if you think it will badly affect your game. You've given me a lot of second chances, so it's only fair that I give you one once in a while, when you make silly mistakes.

But if you refuse my offer:

SC-20

Yes, I think I will refuse, not because I'm happy with how things are going, but because I want to pay for not paying attention.  I've been playing all my games too fast, as you watched me blow it in my game with Warbler.  I'd rather pay for it and try to stage a comeback.

P*15

S-19

K-1

S-18

T-11

SC-17

It's a pretty useless move, but I really don't know what to do right now.

Well, I will say that I'm now in a very defensive mode.  A tie is to my benefit.  The ball is in your court, as they say, and you might have to make a sacrifice to break through my defenses.  On the other hand, don't make a sacrifice that puts you behind.  If this game is really worthwhile and not just a lame attempt at a 1D game, there must be a way for you to break through.  Think it through, and I'm sure you'll find something.  Sorry I can't give a hint because I'm not sure what the secret is.  But you have a powerful weapon in hand.  You can probably afford to sacrifice something weaker for a better position.

Gs-2

Gs-20