New Variant - Back rank setup is decided by players piece by piece, in alteration.

1. Starting Position: Only pawns are placed on row 2 and 7 as usual.
2. Coin Toss: The winner (say Black) makes the first move in the setup.
3. Piece Placement:
   • Black places one piece on White’s back rank.
   • White responds by placing a piece on Black’s back rank.
   • Players alternate until all back-rank pieces are placed.
4. Game Begins: Once the board is fully set up, the game proceeds as normal.

This variant adds strategy to the initial setup, allowing players to influence their opponent's piece arrangement.

This seems like a method for setting up a Fischer/960 board in real life.

Yes it is indeed a 960 variant, but instead of letting randomness decide the arrangement, this makes arrangement itself a game of strategy