'Ski-piece' is more a generic descriptive prefix for how the piece moves. Like one uses 'crowned' for pieces that also move like King ('Crowned Bishop for the Dragon Horse) and 'mounted' or 'knighted' for pieces that also move like a Knight.
I suppose the association with skiing mainly comes from the sport of ski jumping, where they first slide from a ramp to jump as far downhill as they can, before sliding further downhill. One finds similar behavior in the sport of motocross or BMX cycling. So one of these pieces could be called a Crosser.
In fact the ski-pieces are very similar in character to the bent riders: the first step of their trajectory is a different one than the rest of the slide. But the difference only manifests itself in the length of the step, while the bent sliders also change the direction. Especially Osprey and Ostrich are similar, as their first step is also A or D, and the following steps F or W. The Ski-Bishop could be described as A-then-B.
All these pieces are capable of launching 'sneak attacks' on the more conventional pieces. Bent riders attack from around a corner, and the ski-pieces from behind and obstacle. 'Highwayman' seems an apt name for that behavior.
'Ski-piece' is more a generic descriptive prefix for how the piece moves. Like one uses 'crowned' for pieces that also move like King ('Crowned Bishop for the Dragon Horse) and 'mounted' or 'knighted' for pieces that also move like a Knight.
I suppose the association with skiing mainly comes from the sport of ski jumping, where they first slide from a ramp to jump as far downhill as they can, before sliding further downhill. One finds similar behavior in the sport of motocross or BMX cycling. So one of these pieces could be called a Crosser.
In fact the ski-pieces are very similar in character to the bent riders: the first step of their trajectory is a different one than the rest of the slide. But the difference only manifests itself in the length of the step, while the bent sliders also change the direction. Especially Osprey and Ostrich are similar, as their first step is also A or D, and the following steps F or W. The Ski-Bishop could be described as A-then-B.
All these pieces are capable of launching 'sneak attacks' on the more conventional pieces. Bent riders attack from around a corner, and the ski-pieces from behind and obstacle. 'Highwayman' seems an apt name for that behavior.