Derek Nalls wrote on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 09:54 PM UTC:
'It seems you want to erode the meaning of 'Chess variant', to become synonymous for 'board game'.'
I don't have any 'want' whatsoever, in this case.
No.
Any one-player board game such as a puzzle or solitary connection game is definitely not a chess variant. Therefore, chess variants, even by the most holistic, responsible definition, are merely a subset of board games.
_______________________________
'I think it is very good to have language where you can make a distinction between Chess (variants), Checkers (variants), Go (variants) etc.'
I agree that distinctions in language are useful. I also think it is equally important to recognize overwhelming similarities that are often overlooked, disregarded or trivialized.