Daniil Frolov wrote on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 11:59 AM UTC:
In my opinion, for better visualization for western begginers, rather than traditional black-and-white checkering, board need special marking for squares, accesible by elephants. And different marking for advisors. And advisors should not resemble queens (unless if player, being new at Xiang-Qi, is not new at Shatranj).
Of course, it is not needed if one already visualize it well. My own prefrence is traditional board.