What if a player's Shogi King is outside the palace when the change to Xiang Qi happens?
I have several suggestions:
1) They lose. Both players out is either a draw, or a win for the closest. This is probably too harsh, since the piece can be forced out and kept out.
2) They must move it closer to (or into) the palace. Inability to do so is stalemate. Being a loss, that's again probably too harsh.
3) They must move it closer to (or into) the palace if possible. If impossible, they may make another move. This is my personal opinion (I've never played Chess Dial, so don't know if it is best, but it seems like it will give forcing opportunities.)
4) They may not move it further from the palace (but can leave it where it is.)
5) They may do anything. This would fit with considering the Xiang Qi rules prevent the General LEAVING the palace, but say nothing about what happens if it is already out. Removing the King/General from the palace may thus be a key tactic.
6) The General 'teleports' into the palace. Even there, many possible ways to choose which space, and whether it occurs as a move or between moves.
With 3 through 5, distances can be measured either crow-flies, or in moves - results may be different.
Similar arguments would apply to the advisor, though loss because of it being out of the palace would seem excessive, and there is also the extra option that an out-of-palace advisor is simply removed from the board.
I have several suggestions:
1) They lose. Both players out is either a draw, or a win for the closest. This is probably too harsh, since the piece can be forced out and kept out.
2) They must move it closer to (or into) the palace. Inability to do so is stalemate. Being a loss, that's again probably too harsh.
3) They must move it closer to (or into) the palace if possible. If impossible, they may make another move. This is my personal opinion (I've never played Chess Dial, so don't know if it is best, but it seems like it will give forcing opportunities.)
4) They may not move it further from the palace (but can leave it where it is.)
5) They may do anything. This would fit with considering the Xiang Qi rules prevent the General LEAVING the palace, but say nothing about what happens if it is already out. Removing the King/General from the palace may thus be a key tactic.
6) The General 'teleports' into the palace. Even there, many possible ways to choose which space, and whether it occurs as a move or between moves.
With 3 through 5, distances can be measured either crow-flies, or in moves - results may be different.
Similar arguments would apply to the advisor, though loss because of it being out of the palace would seem excessive, and there is also the extra option that an out-of-palace advisor is simply removed from the board.