MengTzu: NO to all 4. It is easy to learn a few chinese characters and you will be familiar with them after 1-2 games. I have more fun playing with original pieces. I regard special boards and pieces as an additional barrier. There are better ways to make Xiangi more popular in non-asian countries than to invent a new design.
To Thom27: Yes, we can said this way too ;) Seriuosly speaking, i think xiangqi must be learned without "western" signs. It's like learn Chinese western chess with "Ming epowue" figures....
(peida) Oma profiili muutmisel kasuta Notepad´i, nägemaks, milline näeb välja Sinu profiil koos html-tagidega (ainult tasulised liikmed). (rednaz23) (näita kõiki vihjeid)