u/Fit_Fisherman3719

This is a very simple variant that is based on regular, standard chess. The idea is that there is an extra way to win.

If White moves their King to e8, White wins. If Black moves their King to e1, Black wins.

Everything else is the same. The reason I like this is that it adds an extra pressure during endgames, like the one in my example screenshot. Do you focus on advancing and promoting your Pawn, or leave it undefended and try to reach e8 with your King? Each scenario has it's risks.

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.

5/7/26 EDIT: hey everyone, I appreciate all the reassuring comments. The replacement AC-1 banjo should be arriving today!

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So I was interested in learning the banjo and saw practically everyone recommending the Gold Tone AC-1 as THE banjo for beginners. Okay, so the first one I ordered came in broken, and the replacement is on its way now. But I'm kinda having second thoughts.

I played a Mitchell starter banjo at Guitar Center and I thought it sounded decent, and to be honest it looks a lot prettier than the AC-1. The Mitchell banjo was made of wood and had that banjo "look".

Everyone also said that Gold Tone construction was solid but even the "zero glide" nut looked kinda sloppily drilled in.