Bob Greenwade wrote on Sun, May 19, 2024 02:02 AM UTC:
305. Senator. and 306. Governor. These are two pieces whose names are given indirectly from their Betza notation. The first leaps two spaces orthogonally, or (1,3) like a Camel, and -- at least, to an American -- Senator seemed like a natural name. (DC)
Less obvious was the name for the piece that leaps two spaces diagonally, or (1,3) like a Zebra; in the context of the Senator, though, the only thing that seemed natural was Governor. (AZ)*
I'd originally just looked at these the DC and AZ moves for the novelty, but couldn't find any existing pieces** with those moves.
The crossed spears are from the symbols used by the Roman Empire; the wedge on the Senator recalls the eagle that was used in the Senate's symbol. The five stars on the Governor piece are just a decision based on desperation (I couldn't think of anything else!).
*For those outside the United States, AZ is the postal abbreviation for the state of Arizona, which is adjacent to the lower end of California. DC, of course, is the District of Columbia.
*Outside of Gilman's Man & Beast articles, that is. And I'm sure that if something exists anywhere to show that I'm wrong, someone will graciously point it out.
305. Senator. and 306. Governor. These are two pieces whose names are given indirectly from their Betza notation. The first leaps two spaces orthogonally, or (1,3) like a Camel, and -- at least, to an American -- Senator seemed like a natural name. (DC)
Less obvious was the name for the piece that leaps two spaces diagonally, or (1,3) like a Zebra; in the context of the Senator, though, the only thing that seemed natural was Governor. (AZ)*
I'd originally just looked at these the DC and AZ moves for the novelty, but couldn't find any existing pieces** with those moves.
The crossed spears are from the symbols used by the Roman Empire; the wedge on the Senator recalls the eagle that was used in the Senate's symbol. The five stars on the Governor piece are just a decision based on desperation (I couldn't think of anything else!).
*For those outside the United States, AZ is the postal abbreviation for the state of Arizona, which is adjacent to the lower end of California. DC, of course, is the District of Columbia.
*Outside of Gilman's Man & Beast articles, that is. And I'm sure that if something exists anywhere to show that I'm wrong, someone will graciously point it out.