On 4/7/2011 5:58 PM, Arun Persaud wrote:
... my problem with placing it on the board is that the size might be an issue... I wouldn't like to have a big piece there and if your board is not big to begin with, adding a piece inbetween that is is say a quarter of a square might become tiny... that's why I think it would be better to put it next to the notifiaction area...
The reason I want them to appear on the board itself is to prevent confusion about the purpose. Thee only appear when legal, and their placement clarifies the move that will be made. I realize if the board is too small, there may not be room. I think that's unlikely to be a problem for people who are actually playing as opposed to watching, where I have a much smaller board. And if they do, just use the old mechanic. With today's large real estate monitors, I doubt anyone would be playing on a board w/out sufficient room.
Also, it is possible for promotion to occur two ways on the same square. So perhaps the buttons go on the relevant edge. In the following position, 4 promotions are possible, all indicated by the button placement. Arrows could be added for additional clarity. One shouldn't have to read a manual to use a chess interface.
(monospace font recommended) +=======+=======+=======+ | | | | | |Q Q| | | |R BR R| | | |B B| | | |N N| | | QRBN | | QRBN | +=======+=======+=======+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | WP | WP | WP | | | | | | | | | +=======+=======+=======+
