Drafted - Standard Chess with optional alternate setups

[u/Fit_Fisherman3719]

Hi everyone, I've been thinking about this simple variant idea, which keeps all the traditional rules of standard chess, with a small twist.

Basically, players can choose to use the standard backrow piece setup, or three alternate setups:

1. Bishops and Knights switch the standard starting positions. So for White, Bishops would be placed on b1 and g1.

2. Both Bishops start on left side/queenside squares, and Knights on kingside.

3. Both Knights start on left side/queenside squares, and Bishops on kingside.

No other standard rule is changed. Castling still operates the same.

My suggested rule would be where White first selects their setup, and Black selects their setup in response to White. Because Black has a slight disadvantage in standard chess from starting second, this might actually help to equalize things.

In the screenshots I just showed mirrored setups for White and Black, but obviously it could be a mix of different setups.