[galaxyLogic]

How about this simple rule, has this been tried?

To begin with each player puts one piece of their color on the board on their turn where-ever they want.

When all pieces are on table, the player who placed the last piece gets the first move, to compensate for the fact that the other player had the advantage to place the first piece on the board where-ever they wanted to.

[jeffdavis]

It seems like you'd end up with a lot of pawns placed near the end of the board, quickly (instantly?) turning into queens.

[torgian]

Then add a rule where pawns are limited to the middle rows of the board, amd/or reduce the amount of pawns

[galaxyLogic]

That would seem to work.

Another approach could be that yes you must fill the first two rows of your side initially, but players would take turns in doing that piece by piece. You would see how your opponent places their army piece by piece on their side and you would adjust your placements accordingly.

[galaxyLogic]

I see. So I guess it wouldn't make much sense, without adding more new rules.