Derek Nalls wrote on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 11:26 AM EST:
In a correspondence, L. Lynn Smith once wrote to me that some inventors
lacked imagination, that all they ever introduced were 'variants of
Chess' instead of 'chess variants' in the sense of infinite
possibilities. Unfortunately, if the only mental limitation the people you
had trouble with was a lack of imagination, they should be pleased for
someone talented or insightful to happen into their midst who has
imagination. Apparently, quite the contrary!
I think people who have devoted an extreme amount of effort into trying to
master a specific game usually have an overwhelming tendency to feel
threatened by anyone who recommends ANY rule change, regardless of its
merits, because its complex ramifications would change the game throughout
and eradicate most/some of what they have learned.