You say

******** " (1) I am not yet convinced that it is (although I will continue to listen to those who want to attempt to convince me that it is). In my case, I probably would have quit playing pente by now if I didn’t have fun-pente to play. It has allowed me to elevate my game and still enjoy playing at the same time. So, in my case, it has been beneficial! " **********

You may not be convinced, but, players who have not played with the restriction have no idea how to attack at the onset of ag ame WITH thee restriction. with the restriction, you need to make a split 3 or some attack that sacrifices some position. Without the trestriction, a player can make a potential and triangle and need never bother with split 3s and similar attacks. I ahve heard quite a few people say they are better as PLAYER 2 at pente than as plyer 1!!!!!!! WHy? because they learned to play without the restriction, and now they have no idea hwat do to as player 1.

You say playing without the restriction has ELEVATED your game? Inasmuch as I can possibly disdagree with your personal assessment, I will do so! I am NOT disparaging your pente play in any way. Rather, what I mean is, had you played SOLELY with the restriction, you would be better at pente than you are. YOu have had some very creative wins against me; one of the attacks you beat me with remains one of the most devastating attacks I have seen to this day. Based on that and a few other games, I tihnk you would be among the top players if your focus were not diverted by the "fun pente" variant.