Of course my tic tac toe reference was ludicrous, it was intended to be so. Also, you asked me to dispense with the sarcasm-- you know me better than that! BUt, your statement that I become very sarcastic whenever someone disagrees is very wrong. If you read the long threead of posts, you will see that I clearly and eloquently wrote out well thought out replies addressing every aspect of each post.

Who said I am picking and choosing hwich variants to play and which not to play? I am simply stating my strong objection to ONE SINGLE variant. You, like theo thers, sound like a broken record repeating the same incorrect statement over and over.

Anyhow... Regarding our games at IYT. 1) I did not try very hard and 2) you had a LOT more experience than I did at the time. I think you KNOW number 2, so why do you bother bringing it up?

If I failed to address one of your points, I apologize, I never intentionally avoid people's points in a debate. I'll review it in the morning, I am tired and I need to go to sleep.

BUt I stand my my definition of "pseudopente," I think it is fitting. What do you suggest calling it? Don't say "pente" because htat is already in use by the real version of the game.

My last thought for the night:

DOES ANYONE DOUBT THAT PLAYER 1 has an advantage inthis game?????????

Well, to have NO restriction for player 1 when player 1 has an OBVIOUS advantage (the extra stone) is just ASININE!

To me, saying that no restriction si necessary is the same as saying that having the extra stone is not an advantage. Well, that defies logic and reason.