M Winther wrote on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 01:33 PM UTC:
Each side can choose between 8 different positions: 1 (the standard position) + 4 (the K can swap with both N, one B, and the Q) + 3 (the Q can swap with two N and one B). (Obviously, the Q-K swap is redundant in the latter case).
Since both sides swap independently I get 8 x 8 = 64 positions. Am I correct?
Chessplayers very much like to be in control, that's why I allow them to choose which swap to make. They can study their own favourite swap. Moreover, in a tournament game, it will be practically impossible to predict the initial position, anyway. So it retains much of the effect of a randomized swap.
However, I have also implemented what I term 'Relocation Random Chess' which randomizes these 64 positions. In this way we get 64 positions, mostly unbalanced, which deviate marginally from the standard position and would comply with the general chessplayer's perception of strategical soundness. I think I will adopt the alternative name Chess64, for this.
http://hem.passagen.se/melki9/relocationchess.htm