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From Ungulates Outwards. A Systematic Set of Names for the Simplest Oblique Pieces.[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]

George Duke wrote on Thu, Jul 22, 2004 04:21 PM UTC:Excellent ★★★★★

Defining oblique pieces by their coordinates leads to SOLL, in order to
deal only in integers.  A Ferz is two Wazir moves at right angles(SOLLs
ratio 2:1). A Camel is two Knight moves at right angles (SOLLs ratio
10:5).  That symmetry shows why the Quintessence (of Qu. Ch and Quinquereme), rather than
 Nightrider, is correct extension of Knight in two dimensions.
It is worthwhile in the abstract naming the pieces moving oblique
directions beyond Camel and Zebra. However, follow-up could relate to
Chess and CVs by asking whether 5:3 or 6:1 leapers, as ex, are useful
exotic pieces.  Probably not.  The 5:1 Zemel, 5:2 Vine, 5:3 Gimel, 5:4
Rector are all of them better implemented as 5-square 5-way DRAGON
non-leaping: Dragon reaches all of those squares. [See my Passed Pawns,
Scorpions and Dragon article]  The 4:1 Giraffe, 4:3 Antelope and 4:2
two-step N-rider--all of them come under SCORPION without jumping ability.
The 6:1 Flamingo (or Mallet for FO), 6:2 two-step Camel-Rider, 6:5 Pastor, 6:3 
and 6:4 -- all of them are subsumed by PHOENIX,  a 6-sq 6-way chess piece
required to follow specific pathways.  Occasionally, commentary might say that 
Dragon's 5-square move reaches one particular 5:4 'Umbrella'-square, but
only colourful embellishment for that instance.