M Winther wrote on Fri, Sep 19, 2008 04:16 AM UTC:
Remember that the attacked party can use a pawn as defense against the
Bombard while the Bombard can only reach the square immediately behind the
pawn. Positionally it calms down the game, making the cannon capability
less wild. By the way, the Bombard cannon was invented by the Chinese at
least as early as early 12th century:
http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi242.htm
/Mats