Garth Wallace wrote on Fri, Sep 9, 2016 07:33 AM UTC:
I think making the case for a lot of these would come down to showing that they are used in games with significant player bases. For example, I know that cannon symbols are used in Shako, but how many people play that? How people regularly play Tamerlane Chess or Grant Acedrex?
Thanks for reminding me of the unicorn in Raumschach. AIUI that's the most popular form of 3D chess, so that could be a point in the unicorn's favor. On the other hand, I don't know of any fonts that include it.
I wouldn't say the rotated pieces are no longer needed. They're certainly needed for chess problems, where they are a well-established notational practice. They were originally used due to the hassle and expense of cutting new type, but now they're traditional for problemists (and convenient when dealing with an essentially unlimited variety of possible pieces). I understand the variant community generally prefers more directly illustrative symbols though.
I think making the case for a lot of these would come down to showing that they are used in games with significant player bases. For example, I know that cannon symbols are used in Shako, but how many people play that? How people regularly play Tamerlane Chess or Grant Acedrex?
Thanks for reminding me of the unicorn in Raumschach. AIUI that's the most popular form of 3D chess, so that could be a point in the unicorn's favor. On the other hand, I don't know of any fonts that include it.
I wouldn't say the rotated pieces are no longer needed. They're certainly needed for chess problems, where they are a well-established notational practice. They were originally used due to the hassle and expense of cutting new type, but now they're traditional for problemists (and convenient when dealing with an essentially unlimited variety of possible pieces). I understand the variant community generally prefers more directly illustrative symbols though.