I've altered the original setup slightly. Lancers should begin the game facing diagonally inward to provide more squares for development. Otherwise, having them face straight forward makes fianchetto-style openings a rote necessity, and it could detract from the usual option to castle early for those who prefer it.
This would mean that the English and Sicilian openings would not make much sense any more, as enemy lancers can immediately capture those pawns. Nevetheless, I believe other openings become a possibility where they otherwise don't work. Traditionally unsound openings like King's Gambit might be more appealing with a lancer. Even an opening like the infamous 1. f3 could work nicely.
I've altered the original setup slightly. Lancers should begin the game facing diagonally inward to provide more squares for development. Otherwise, having them face straight forward makes fianchetto-style openings a rote necessity, and it could detract from the usual option to castle early for those who prefer it.
This would mean that the English and Sicilian openings would not make much sense any more, as enemy lancers can immediately capture those pawns. Nevetheless, I believe other openings become a possibility where they otherwise don't work. Traditionally unsound openings like King's Gambit might be more appealing with a lancer. Even an opening like the infamous 1. f3 could work nicely.