H. G. Muller wrote on Sat, Jan 3, 2009 12:15 PM UTC:
The problem is that I don't understand what you mean by 'opposition to the nearest sides of the board of their moves'.
I am not sure about declaring stalemate a loss would have muh impact. It is true that with almost any reasonable piece stalemate positions are possible, but that does not mean that it can be forced. I used to have a version of my tablebas program that would equate stalemate to a loss, (can't find it anymore... :-( ), and from what I remember in most end-games hardly made eny difference. For instance, I don't believe KBK would be generally won under this rule, despite the fact that a Bishop is quite strong for a piece without mating potential.
The Shatranj baring rule has a much bigger impact in this respect.