To clarify my position:

People are out to reform chess, and I want to have a say because I am
not impressed with their propositions. Reputedly, there are 200.000
people playing Omega Chess ( http://www.omegachess.com/ ). Many are
engaged in Gothic Chess ( http://www.gothicchess.com/ ), and in Janus
Chess ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus_chess ). And now Seirawan
Chess ( http://www.chessmastery.com/seirawan-chess.html ) is being
launched. Fischer Random Chess
( http://www.chessvariants.org/diffsetup.dir/fischer.html ) is a case in
point, too.

Moreover, Chinese Chess
( http://hem.passagen.se/melki9/chinesechess.htm ) is the world's most
popular game. Why continue playing orthochess then? Moreover, Japanese
Chess ( http://www.chessvariants.com/shogi.html ) is much more
profitable. If you're a talent, you could become a millionaire,
instead of a bum in the orthochess world.

The two latter games are tactically much more creative, something that
appeals to the general amateur. At least Shogi is right now making an
inroad in the West. How will orthochess fare in the competition?

I maintain that most orthochess games constitute of woodchopping.
Orthochess allows for moving pieces around until somebody makes a
mistake. Comparatively, in Shogi you have no other choice than to
create attacking combinations. You must be creative in order to have a
chance. In Chinese Chess games are often rapid, always resolved in a
king attack. Players don't need to waste a lot of time and energy by
many tedious moves.

We don't know what direction chess will take in the future, and one
ought to discuss its future.

Mats