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        Arimaa >> General Discussion >> Arimaa Variants at Boardspace.net
        
(Message started by: ddyer on Apr 13^th, 2023, 4:58am)

Title: Arimaa Variants at Boardspace.net
Post by ddyer on Apr 13^th, 2023, 4:58am

I've added some features to Arimaa at Boardspace.net. It would
be cool if some of the better players here give them a spin and
provide a thumbs up or down.

Blitz Arimaa Played on a 5x7 board with one
trap. I expect this to be a much shorter game, heavy on
tactics.
http://boardspace.net/images/blitz-arimaa.jpg
Grand Arimaa Played onn a 10x8 board, but the same
set of pieces. I expect this to be a more strategically varied
game, since it will be much harder for the elephants and
camels to cover all the territory.
http://boardspace.net/images/grand-arimaa.jpg
Also, in the setup phase, either player can sequester pieces
as a handicap.

Title: Re: Arimaa Variants at Boardspace.net
Post by clyring on Apr 20^th, 2023, 7:00am

Intuitively I'd expect the small variant to usually reach a "traffic jam" state pretty quickly. There is only one trap, so each player's elephant can permanently shut down the other player's capture threats by waiting next to it. After that, it is likely very hard for either to make progress.

The wider board could be interesting. Pieces fighting for the wider flanks are somewhat removed from the trap control fight, and this has both positives and negatives. (A piece hiding in the corner is already often difficult to chase down on a normal board.) I might give it a try this weekend.