Bob Greenwade wrote on Wed, Jan 10, 2024 04:31 PM UTC:
176. Mandarin. This piece comes from an interesting variant by Benoit Dauphin called Dervish Chess. I'll probably feature the game's eponymous piece at some time in the future, but for now this is the one I want to focus on.
The Mandarin's move is rather complex. On the surface, it moves somewhat like a lame Nightrider, making first an orthogonal move and then turning 45 degrees a diagonal move. If it isn't capturing, it can only stop after the diagonal move; however, it can capture with either the diagonal or orthogonal move. (afs(afzafz)4W(afzafz)4cW)
Dauphin notes that the piece's move changed many times during the variant's development to be sure it wasn't too strong or too weak; indeed, it seems about on par with a Nightrider (though I'm admittedly just going on impressions there).
The model is an example of "simpler is better"; it's just a traditional Mandarin's hat on a Man piece, adjusted for height.
176. Mandarin. This piece comes from an interesting variant by Benoit Dauphin called Dervish Chess. I'll probably feature the game's eponymous piece at some time in the future, but for now this is the one I want to focus on.
The Mandarin's move is rather complex. On the surface, it moves somewhat like a lame Nightrider, making first an orthogonal move and then turning 45 degrees a diagonal move. If it isn't capturing, it can only stop after the diagonal move; however, it can capture with either the diagonal or orthogonal move. (afs(afzafz)4W(afzafz)4cW)
Dauphin notes that the piece's move changed many times during the variant's development to be sure it wasn't too strong or too weak; indeed, it seems about on par with a Nightrider (though I'm admittedly just going on impressions there).
The model is an example of "simpler is better"; it's just a traditional Mandarin's hat on a Man piece, adjusted for height.