Comments/Ratings for a Single Item

I actually downloaded this implementation this morning. Just haven't gotten around to trying it out.

It appears to be an interesting 3D Chess variant. I look forward to playing the game.

Thank you both for prompt response and concern !
What does it mean here to swap games ?
Don't forget I'm a poor frenchy guy...

Okay, I've run a few games. Just a few knee-jerk reactions. ;-)

I like the zig-zag moves. They can just be a little tough to visualize while playing. At this point I do not know how to make this easier. Familiarity should solve it.

I'm not happy with the fact that power pieces(in the standard array) are able to threaten several Pawns initially. This can restrict the opening potential, which should be as high as possible to assure a large variety of games.

I actually coded a variant with an additional row of (active)Pawns on second field, and moved Black's power pieces to the second field. As stated in the rules, these extra Pawns block the initial assault by their own power pieces, forcing the player to develop to bring most into play. These extra (active)Pawns can get a little crowded at first but they do offer a high potential of promotion which will increase the opportunity for checkmating the opponent. And they can be effective during play by restricting those zig-zag moves.

Thank you both Joe and Larry for the explanations (i'm impressed by
Larry's french !) and please don't hesitate to swap this game with other
people to get feedback.
Larry, you didn't have to code the protection pawns variant as it was
already available in the game variants. In my implementation, the main
difference is that these extra pawns have just the possibility to block,
not to move nor capture, in order to respect the overall power of pawns on
the 128 squares. Regarding black power pieces, you're allowed to put them
on the first or the second board, it makes only a slight difference
An important rule that I didn't insist enough upon, is that 'real
Pawns' are blocked in their movement each time any of a square-to-move is
occupied (there are basically 3 squares, 1 on the first board, and 2 on the
second one). This leads to the 'same' positional sensation as in orthodox
chess, which I was looking for.

Hello again to Joe,
looking back to your comments, I think you made a mistake regarding the
Variant Chess issue the Game was reviewed in: it is vol7 issue 54
Regards,
SB

I used 'active' Pawns on both levels. Of course, this did get a little tedious during opening development. But here's an idea(not mine).

Dan Beyer created an interesting 3D Pawn which extended through the levels of the field, occupying the cells above and below it.

The same might be done on this field. The two Pawns which occupy the same positions on each level would move as a unit to the same destination cell of each level. But would be captured as individuals. This would mean that as a unit they would simply move as Mad Queen Pawns, but when one was captured the other is now free to exercise its 3D pattern in this game.

When capturing as a unit, only one of these two moving Pawns need take an opponent. Needless to say that if a friendly piece occupies the similar target cell of the other level such a capture would not be permitted.

This would speed up the opening while allowing a sufficient 'barricade' against the advancing opponent. And if the two Pawns were able to maintain their unit upon promotion, the player could gain two seperate power pieces. Thus assuring the players of necessary material in the endgame.

Of course, if a single Pawn moves to a similar cell on one level as another friendly Pawn on the other they would then be considered a unit and be moved as such from that point.

Just a thought.

To avoid direct 3D attacks from long-range pieces at first move, instead of introducing passive or new active pawns (which may complicate the game uselessly), I propose to force long-range Pieces to do at least one "normal" move before doing an extra 3D-like move.

I'll probably introduce this as a new variant in the future.
You can have a feeling of what it brings looking at the reduction game of "Mapped Chess" to one board called "3to2" 

I recall the main interest of "Mapped Chess": the overall relative forces of Pieces are very similar to the ones in standard Chess game, but adding 3D effects. This would bring a wealth of new situations, and new strategies.