If I had to play variants, I do not enjoy disallowing knight moves, etc. That simplicity-flexibility is what gives the game the large number of results per ply, and also taxes the calculation powers of the players.

I would be amused to see a "double-start" variant that gives players both corner pieces and near-middle pieces so that the chaos can begin immediately.

I also came to appreciate how the blocked squares alter the game boards.

I just happened upon this site. I was shocked to see any types of draws being considered. I learned on the Leland machine, which simply let the winning player fill up the board. I noticed the odd number of squares and though this was a specific design to avoid draws.

As Chess is my primary game, I am becoming disenchanted with Draws By Agreement. The draw-less nature of the LeLand version appealed because it would absolutely end in a decision.