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We could hope that variants might fill the game role for parlor chess. The
competitive aspect is there, but with new and different games available,
Sam's assertion that you know who will win when you sit down no longer
holds as true. And while they do not usually bring luck into the picture,
variants do generally bring unpredictability into the game, which plays a
similar role. I fear, however, the only way to bring women back into
chessplay in numbers roughly equaling men is through early education [aka:
brainwashing]. After all, it was 'suitable education and pursuits' that
had noble women and men playing the game in the beginning.