Who'd like to try a chess variant? Now playing Xiang Qi, a.k.a. Chinese chess — Page 4

Qxg7 mate

Didn't really get to do a lot of our own self-capturing.  I'm a little disappointed, though not terribly surprised.  I honestly don't think the occasion arises too often, and usually only when a player is really in a stuck position.  I thought about capturing my pawn on f2 with my rook to let him out to attack your king, but there were always better options.  Not sure if the variant is that special or not.  I'd be willing to try another game if you like, and see if it turns out differently.  But first I'd like to try something more radically different, and Chess with Different Armies keeps calling my name.  Does that interest you?

No, there wasn't a lot of self-capturing, though it can be a nice option to have. I'm fine with Chess with Different Armies, but we'd better make sure we get the same versions, or things could get confusing. ;)

Same versions?  You mean same armies?  Or same zillions file?  If the former, I imagine you are joking.  In any case, generally with this game both players are supposed to randomly select their army.  However, I would recommend that one of us select the Fabulous FIDEs (or the standard chess army), just so we can see how the new army really does match up.  The other player can select randomly.  If we play another game later, we can try both players selecting randomly.

I assume there have been multiple versions of the game that have been invented, so I mean that we need to check that we have the same files so that we're able to play the appropriate armies. I wasn't sure if there were multiple Zillions variants with different armies. As far as I can tell, the Zillions file always has white as the regular army, and there is no such thing as the Fabulous FIDEs. That's why I wanted to check. :)

Here's the link to the Zillions version I downloaded (it has all sorts of different armies) since I think you have something else:

http://zillionsofgames.com/cgi-bin/zilligames/submissions.cgi?do=show;id=284

If you think the one you have is better, than link me to it. If they're the same then I guess my observation skills need improvement, but let me know either way.

Most of the armies in the version I linked to don't look that great (and certainly not balanced in many cases), but I'd have to play a game to really judge that for sure.

Don't have time to look this morning.  Will explain when I can.

This page has four different implementations.

http://www.chessvariants.org/index/mainquery.php?type=Any&startswithletter=C&orderby=LinkText&displayauthor=1&displayinventor=1

I believe the one I downloaded and am using is this one:

http://www.chessvariants.org/index/zillions.php?itemid=zcwda

The different variants are the different armies facing each other.

I seem to be unable to download any Zillions files with different armies, so do we have to play on a page like this?

http://play.chessvariants.org/pbm/play.php?game=Colorbound%20Clobberers%20vs.%20Fabulous%20FIDEs&code=rnbqkbnrpppppppp32PPPPPPPPAEFCKFEA&set=alfdiffarmies&rules=/d.betza/chessvar/cda/rules.html

I tried downloading a zrf file, and it downloaded images, just not the actual game file, as far as I can tell.

Well, I can also send you the file.  That's weird that you're having such trouble.  I'll upload it and send it your way soon.

Actually, before I do that, you must remember that when you unzip these files, there are several picture files, plus a zrf (zillions rule file).  You must open the zrf in the Zillions software for it to play, and it utilizes the images that came with it.

I know that the images come with the file, but for some reason I'm only getting the images. :\

Check your PMs.

Done (it worked this time :)). What army do you want to use besides the regular one?

I'll see your answer tomorrow. Good night.

I think we should randomly decide the white army, but black should be the Fabulous FIDEs (due to lack of familiarity).  You can pick which side you want to be.  Then we'll just randomly pick the white army by whatever means.  It obviously should not be fabulous FIDEs for this game, so we should use some way of deciding one out of three.

We could just go through the armies alphabetically, that way we can keep track of which ones we used more easily. But I'm fine with using whatever army.

Alright, then we'll go with the Colorbound Clobberers vs. the Fabulous FIDES.  I do believe it will be to one's disadvantage to take the less familiar army, so if you're okay with it, I will choose to be white and the Colorbound Clobberers.

Assuming you are in agreement, Pd4.

I recommend reading the following, as it really explains how Ralph Betza determined what makes armies equal.  It's been a while, but I remember really enjoying reading it.

http://www.chessvariants.org/d.betza/chessvar/cda/index.html

Pg6

I'll read about the various armies as we play them. :)

b3

Nc6

d5

N-b4

Bede x h8

B-h6

FAD-b2

Nxa2

Waffle-a1