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@ Bob Greenwade[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]
Bob Greenwade wrote on Thu, Aug 10, 2023 02:42 PM UTC:

24. Sphinx. The classic sphinx had the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and a human face. This piece combines the modern Lion, which can move one or leap two spaces (KAND); and the Eagle, which is an alternate form for the Gryphon, moving one space diagonally and then outward like a Rook (FyafsF), for a total move of KANDyafsF.

I initially conceived this piece as one that would dominate the skies as well as a Dragon. After putting together the moves, I can see that the Dragon's going to have to step up his game. In fact, I initially was thinking to use the Japanese Lion (KANDcaKmabK) rather than the modern one (KAND), but that would've been just too powerful. As it is, the Sphinx will dominate just about any board it's on -- and so is going to have a target on its back as surely as the Queen has one in standard Chess.

I'm admittedly not quite satisfied with this design, particularly in the middle of the shaft, but I'm also developing a more stylized head so both of those things will see updating eventually.