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Looking over at BrainKing's list of games, here are some win/draw/loss for white ratios:

• FIDE chess: 47.50/4.14/48.35
• Janus Chess: 50.32/2.19/47.47
• Embassy chess: 50.36/2.26/47.37
• Grand chess: 50.07/2.68/47.23
• Capablanca random chess: 50.84/3.07/46.07

Now, as we can see, The Capablanca variants have noticeably less draws--but noticeably more wins for white. So, while FIDE Chess may be too drawish, it doesn't have an advantage for White either. So, while not empirically tested, a 8x10/10x10 variant with less power on the board may more closely approach the 50/0/50 (no draws, no advantage for white) ideal. Indeed, we see above that Janus Chess, which has about 1 pawn less power on the board than Capablanca Chess, is a little closer to 50/0/50 than the other Capa variants (The difference is so small, however, that it may be a coincidence).

Is 'crowned chess' closer to this ideal then FIDE chess or Capa chess? I have no idea. The only way to find out is via computer and other testing.

I can also make the argument that my Capa setup, Schoolbook, is closer to 50/0/50 than other Capa variants, since having the powerful pieces in the corner and harder to develop and having the area around the king well defended may lower White's advantage.

- Sam