I know of 960 and other variants, but has anyone ever played chess by just having completely random placement? I could see this being an extremely challenging game. No mirroring, nothing. You get what you get, so your queen could be in the corner or in the middle, etc.

I don't know that it would be fair? In 960, the back row has to mirror each other. If it doesn't then someone could have an advantageous position to start.

I think they tried that with checkers.

Pen, that's the idea. 960 style but pawns go anywhere essentially.

Isn't real chess hard enough?

Yes, but it'd remove all theory completely which would just make for some good times. Z-Chess we shall call it mwahahaha

Most of the theory is removed after a couple drinks.