Disadvantages of King of the Hill.
It seems to me that the alternative victory in King of the Hill makes it more difficult to plan moves in the game and calculate the taking of pieces in the center. It can be difficult to determine whether this will help the opponent's king break into the center or not. One streamer once noticed that games in KotH sometimes abruptly turn into an endgame. And now it seems to me that both goals of this variant of chess (checkmate to the king and capture of the center by the king) do not work in the same direction. Their logic is sometimes contradictory. Also, in this variant, playing on the flanks and their development play a secondary role.
Another small disadvantage of this variant is that the right of white's first move also gives them an advantage in the case of an alternative victory, since there is no compensation for black, as in Racing Kings, where the black king can enter the scoring field with the next move and thereby make a draw.
What can be changed in KotH?
If the alternative victory in KotH was to reach the 7-8th row by the king (or some area in the opponent's rear), this goal would not interfere with the calm development in the opening and middle of the game.
Conclusions.
On the one hand, current classic KotH requires the same level of opening theory knowledge as in regular chess. As a result, to achieve high ranks in KotH, I would need to additionally memorize KotH openings. Which will be extremely difficult for me. On the other hand, KotH-960 offers the opportunity to get away from routine and have fun. However, the other drawbacks of this variant remain.
It seems to me that the alternative victory in King of the Hill makes it more difficult to plan moves in the game and calculate the taking of pieces in the center. It can be difficult to determine whether this will help the opponent's king break into the center or not. One streamer once noticed that games in KotH sometimes abruptly turn into an endgame. And now it seems to me that both goals of this variant of chess (checkmate to the king and capture of the center by the king) do not work in the same direction. Their logic is sometimes contradictory. Also, in this variant, playing on the flanks and their development play a secondary role.
Another small disadvantage of this variant is that the right of white's first move also gives them an advantage in the case of an alternative victory, since there is no compensation for black, as in Racing Kings, where the black king can enter the scoring field with the next move and thereby make a draw.
What can be changed in KotH?
If the alternative victory in KotH was to reach the 7-8th row by the king (or some area in the opponent's rear), this goal would not interfere with the calm development in the opening and middle of the game.
Conclusions.
On the one hand, current classic KotH requires the same level of opening theory knowledge as in regular chess. As a result, to achieve high ranks in KotH, I would need to additionally memorize KotH openings. Which will be extremely difficult for me. On the other hand, KotH-960 offers the opportunity to get away from routine and have fun. However, the other drawbacks of this variant remain.
