Bob Greenwade wrote on Thu, Jan 11, 2024 03:45 PM UTC:
177. Anti-Spear. Like the Anti-Pawn (which was #77 -- I promise that that's a coincidence!), the Anti-Spear moves exclusively backwards. Basically, just as a normal Spear is a sort of "Pawnrider," so the Anti-Spear is an "Anti-Pawnrider," sliding directly backwards without capturing, or capturing diagonally backwards. (mbRcbB)
Also like the Anti-Pawn, the Anti-Spear should not be in an opening setup. Rather, it should be something that forward-moving Pawns (and/or Spears) promote to at the far end, giving the Anti-Spear the task of coming back. Then, when the Anti-Spear reaches the rank nearest the player, it should promote to something impressive enough to make all that work worth it.
For the piece, I just dropped the Anti-Pawn's cube onto a Spear piece. It seems a tad unwieldy, though; suggestions for alternatives would be welcome.
177. Anti-Spear. Like the Anti-Pawn (which was #77 -- I promise that that's a coincidence!), the Anti-Spear moves exclusively backwards. Basically, just as a normal Spear is a sort of "Pawnrider," so the Anti-Spear is an "Anti-Pawnrider," sliding directly backwards without capturing, or capturing diagonally backwards. (mbRcbB)
Also like the Anti-Pawn, the Anti-Spear should not be in an opening setup. Rather, it should be something that forward-moving Pawns (and/or Spears) promote to at the far end, giving the Anti-Spear the task of coming back. Then, when the Anti-Spear reaches the rank nearest the player, it should promote to something impressive enough to make all that work worth it.
For the piece, I just dropped the Anti-Pawn's cube onto a Spear piece. It seems a tad unwieldy, though; suggestions for alternatives would be welcome.