@lecw (#19)
I am perfectly fine if you disagree with my ideas. Let me show you my perspectives, where I come from to reach these conclusions.
First, I believe you mean CH (Crazyhouse), not ZH.
Second, gaining material is important - as an element. King safety is of course the thing you need to focus on in the opening/middle-game. After your king is safe, you should focus on getting material - because the more material, the easier to mate. Just remember sacrifices backfire more often, so you need a constant threat if you sacrifice. Material is good, especially if you get what you need to mate.
Third, there isn't exactly an endgame, that is true. The closest thing to the endgame is the late middle-game - even though most pieces are still being 'recycled' as one user put it, the position may open up more and a mate may come at some points (not all mates are sudden, even in CH).
Fourth, piece valuation is important, depends on how you use or think of it. I like to use the valuation as something for the position, making estimates a little less reliable than in standard chess.
Fifth, I never said to value knights over bishops all the time. But in general the knight is much more powerful. Need a bishop to mate? Sure, give up that knight, as long as the knight cannot be dropped to block your bishop.
It appears you believe I am making very specific rules. I am talking about estimates and general values or ideas. Thanks for sharing your ideas, it really adds to the discussion.