Marfitalu: That would be too big change to remove the rule of five in line completely.

In order to make the game better balanced, this is the idea [originally from vic] - at least one stone of the winning line of five stones must be placed either on the center row [E] or to the opponent's half of the board.

BIG BAD WOLF: I still think SueQ could win the game at the very beginning.
What about to forbid white to make the first move at the board edge [1st or 9th column] and to the 3rd row?

SueQ: Correct.

BIG BAD WOLF: 1) No. 2) Yes. 3) Yes. 4) Yes.

AbigailII: Thank you. My conclusion is, I'll leave the game as it is, with the rules as they are implemented here, and with the name Hasami Shogi.

nosovs: So what is it, in your opinion?
There are many variants which all call themselves Hasami Shogi. I've chosen the one which I liked the most.