1.b3 Is completely Lost but, if your opponent plays...

I think it is about time I contribute something to the forums...
Atomic at a high level is fun however it proposes a few problems.
The main problem in my opinion would be.
1. Unlike regular chess where the game is equal (Slight advantage to white due to the first move tempo) But in Atomic Chess (White has a much larger Advantage) and at high level it is near to impossible for Black to win.

I have for a long time proposed the idea that atomic chess (at least competitively) Should force Designated (Equal) Openings (Openings that are decided before a game and forced to be played out). This way the results are more uncertain, and it can be harder for a high-level player to prep for a tournament. Meaning it's more skill than Theory knowledge.

If asked I can go into more depth in another forum post explaining how tournaments formats would likely change due to the rule (If it were implemented) and what opening moves would be used and so on.

Here would be my Example of a Designated opening.
1. b3 (Clearly white is now at a large disadvantage after e5 or Nf6) Stock fish rates this -2.0 for white
But now let us say the Designated Opening Rule is used.
1. b3 b6
2. c4 c5
3. d4 d5
4. g3 Nf6
5. f3 After white makes their 5th turn (Forced) Then black will get to freestyle from here on out. This position will never be reach by a player higher than 2000+ in any normal circumstances, Yet the position is equal. According To Lichess Database this position has never been reached before (Due to e5 and Nf6) ...

Like I said if asked I would elaborate more on another forum post, but I am keen to know your thoughts on this.

Just realized that the title does not fit for the topic XD.

I think the problem is, that "equal" positions in Atomic are not really equal at all. Often the eval bar shows 0.0, but only if you play one specific move. So unlike regular chess, where equal positions lead to a wide variety of games, in Atomic your moves are very limited and oftentimes forced (even in your example, move 5 for white is forced, right in the beginning of the game).

That's why I think reaching an equal position which remains equal after 2 moves is almost impossible. But then again, I'm not an expert in Atomic, maybe the goats have a different view on this.

I think something important that you may be overlooking is the inaccuracy of atomic chess engines. The evaluation of positions fluctuates often and their move pruning can often lead to very questionable and poor moves.