Comments by David Cannon
![A game information page](/index/game.gif)
![A piececlopedia entry](/index/piececlopedia.gif)
The Zebra actually exists as the SAHNG (Elephant) in Changgi (Korean Chess). Korean Chess greatly resembles Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) except in two basic ways. One of these concerns the move of the Elephant. Chinese Elephant - moves like an Alfil (but without the jumping power) - and cannot cross the river. Korean Elephant - moves like the Zebra described on this page - except that it is not a leaper : there must be an unobstructed path from the origin to the destination. Also, unlike its Chinese cousin, it is not barred from crossing the river - as there is no river.
![A piececlopedia entry](/index/piececlopedia.gif)
I would like to see something added about the difference between the Elephant in Xiangqi and the Elephant in Changgi (Korean Chess). The two varieties of chess are almost identical except for three things, one of which is the move of the Elephant. Xiangqi : the elephant moves two points diagonally (non-leaping) and cannot cross the river. Changgi : the elephant moves like a ZEBRA in some chess variants (i.e., one square orthogonally followed by one square diagonally, or vice versa) - except that it is not a leaper; there must be unobstructed access between the point of departure and the point of arrival. Also, there is no 'river' in Changgi, so the rule about not crossing the river is not applicable.
![A piececlopedia entry](/index/piececlopedia.gif)
The movement of the Cannon is one of three significant differences between Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) and Changgi (Korean Chess) [the other differences concern the Elephant and the design of the board - Changgi has no river). The Koreans have somewhat simplified the movement of the Cannon. Unlike its Chinese cousin, the Korean cannon moves as it captures : it cannot move at all without flying over a 'screen' piece. The effect of all this is that the Korean cannon tends to be an immensely powerful piece in the early and mid-stages of the game, equal or superior to the CHA (rook), but practically useless in the endgame, when there are few pieces left to leap over. Part of the strategy of Changgi is knowing just when to exchange the Cannon for another piece. Another distinctively Korean feature of the Cannon is that, unlike its Chinese counterpart, it cannot capture an enemy cannon, or leap over a fellow-cannon, friend or foe. Shades of blood brothers?
![A game information page](/index/game.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
Hi Graeme! I'm delighted to see this variant. I've been mucking around with a few trigonal boards myself, so I'm glad to see you cut the trail for me. Just one comment: I notice that you've made the Queen a combination of Spire and Bishop. That makes the Queen scarcely more powerful than the Tower (a Rook-like piece). Have you considered a Spire-Tower combination for the Queen? That would make a much more powerful piece worthy of the name, in my opinion. You could still keep the present Queen, but perhaps change her name to something else. And by the way, could we get a Zillions program to play this game? Keep up the good work!
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
![A Zillions-of-Games file](/index/zillions.gif)
![A Zillions-of-Games file](/index/zillions.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
I have tried to edit this page since submitting it, but keep getting an error message. I want to link it to a zillions file and add some graphics. Another comment - this time a request : I am a novice with zillions programming. I have made a program that works, but I think the code could probably be optimised - it probably takes up a lot more space than it needs to. If anybody skilled in Zillions programming could optimise the code, I would be very grateful.
Thanks for the tip, David! I've tried it and it works. I've uploaded one image now, showing the initial setup for the 'simple version' (there are four variants in the Zillions file I made). I'll upload some more images tonight when I get home from work, and the zillions file also. By the way, is there a limit to the number of images I may upload? I need a number of images to show the different movements of the pieces, so I hope I'm allowed some space. Thanks once again for the tip. I was indeed clicking the wrong link :-(
I will come back tomorrow night and upload some more files - I have exceeded my 500KB limit for the day. I have also tried to link the page to the Zillions file I uploaded, but it doesn't seem to be appearing. Can anybody tell me what's going on?
Both yesterday and today, I got the following error message when I tried to edit the index information : 'Error performing query: Duplicate entry 'MSdiamondchess30' for key 1' Can anybody please look into this?
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
I'll add graphics later on. I've exceeded my upload limit (on another game) for today:-( A Zillions of Games file is in the pipeline and will be available soon.
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
Charles, have you considered including a reference to the KAIFENG in your game? KAIFENG is a city in China with a long Jewish history - it goes back many hundreds of years. There is still a small Jewish community in the city, I believe. Kaifeng Jews look Chinese, and differ from occidental Jews in that they trace descent through the father's line, rather than the mother's. I think some reference to Kaifeng would help to cement the connection I think you are making between China and Judaism. Just a thought:-) David.
![A game information page](/index/ms.gif)
1. Mark Colebank's INFINITE CHESS website has the original game.
2. I don't think I fully understand the movement of the pawns in your Fivequarters game. If I may summarize the pawn movement in a nutshell, each pawn moves in the direction indicated by its positioning - i.e. those shown 'right side up' move 'north' while those 'upside down' move 'south.' On reaching the so-called 'enemy zone' (the first rank reached beyond the diamond where the two circles intersect), a Pawn morphs into a Steward and can move passively in any orthogonal direction, and can capture in any diagonal direction. But to answer your question, no. No matter where on the board a Pawn may be, it may capture on either of the diagonals adjacent to the cell on which it would move orthogonally.
3. I would suggest downloading the link to the zillions file I programmed and play one or two games with it. You'll see the Pawn movement very clearly.
Cheers!
David Cannon.
25 comments displayed
Permalink to the exact comments currently displayed.