Regardless of the exact values, it seems like many very fine strategical
qualities are lost on the 9x10 board. The space factor, so important in
Fide-chess, has taken on a completely different meaning. Suddenly there are
large areas of space always available. Of course, there are new aspects of
the game, such as the enormous tactical capacities of the super-knights.
This is great fun, but many important factors are lost, too. However, with
the Gustavian board they are retained, while new tactical qualities can be
added. I don't repudiate the Capablanca variants; they are an interesting
complement. But I don't think they will ever become popular.
Seirawan Chess implements the super-knights on the 8x8 board, however, they
are introduced in an erratic manner. To place them on the extra corner
squares of the Gustavian board is much more to the taste of the modern
player, I think. Gustav III's Chess, with Amazons on the extra squares, is
actually a very good game. A preset is here:
http://www.chessvariants.org/index/msdisplay.php?itemid=MPgustaviiisches
/M. Winther
