Sam has closed his piano and gone to bed ... now we can talk about the real stuff of life ... love, liberty and games such as Janus, Capablanca Random, Embassy Chess & the odd mention of other 10x8 variants is welcome too
For posting: - invitations to games (you can also use the New Game menu or for particular games: Janus; Capablanca Random; or Embassy) - information about upcoming tournaments - disussion of games (please limit this to completed games or discussion on how a game has arrived at a certain position ... speculation on who has an advantage or the benefits of potential moves is not permitted while that particular game is in progress) - links to interesting related sites (non-promotional)
Bumble the forming of a lynch mob and making people take sides is the least effective way to make improvements. Harley sets rules for her DB and lets the chips fall where they may and people might get pissed for a bit (including me) but the bottom line is it works. Maybe tight rules firmly enforced would be the corrective that's needed.
Ed is a near genius who has fallen into the trap of continually doublng his bets trying to get even. Even if all the bluster were to come true it would endear him to nobody but, unlike me, he can't seem to change his ways. LOL.
I have noticed that very often some people like to keep an eye out and identify someone who might be in disfavor and then start piling on thinking that such action will somehow increase their own popularity. As there are a fair number of fellow vultures out there it sometimes looks like it is working but in the long run water seeks its own level. :)
I know there is a pretty long list of people who have defeated the Chinook highest level and I did see Ed's name there. But it's still a tiny minority of those who have played it.
The generic reason for popularity of variants was not only to have a game where there was a chance against the masters but also to defeat program users. Once someone even hints they have access to program then their every victory is tainted whether they use one or not. I have webtv which can't use one but if I could I would when playing another admitted program user. Then it would be machine againt machine. Otherwise there is zero chance. But the best defense against the accusation is to point to your loss record which in my case is substantial and which would never happen if a program was used. I have played checkers against people who have played over the board in Las Vegas so I know how good they are but even they can only hope for a draw against most programs,,and only then if they play perfect checkers. Chess I know nothing about..still less about Gothic Chess.
It seems like going down Memory Lane to dredge up "bad guys" or paint yourself as a hero is a sign of weakness, not strength. I think it was a miscarriage that Ed lost his Moderator position because of a home invasion by Shorty/Creepo but that is just my opinion.
The members and friends of the Killing Machine have been directed to the "Support Us" page. The only bad news is that many of us get lost on the way to the bathroom. :o)