It's called +/- 0.5 mode
It might not work, but could be interesting.
Basically it drops the two players into a random mid-game position. The position would be even, not more than +0.5 in anyone's favor. Black could have a slight advantage because white would get the first move.
Positions would be chosen at random from a database of played games, and Aborting the game before the start would count as a loss.
I can add too:this mode always be casual
I hope something like this gets implemented, it sounds cool. I feel like it would also be a great way to train a variety of positions. Assuming that all the games are casual, it isn't a new variant. The ratings shown would be depending on the time control, and maybe all the games can count as a "From Position" game; however, you may want to classify it differently depending on how popular the game mode is.
I think it would be cool if before making the game, you could also change the range of the evaluation as sort of position odds if you want to play against a lower rated friend.
@Redscales being able to play in a handicapped position against a stronger player is a really good addition to the idea. Maybe you could choose the range that you want to join a game, how negative you want to go. Or something like that
This sounds way better than"Flying Varients". I think it should be implemented but is it a bit too much like puzzles? Also, Lichess already has Stockfish and Puzzles database so it should be easier to make.
This is not what you asked for but it reminds me of
tailuge.github.io/chess-o-tron/html/blunder-bomb.htmlyou start in a drawn position +-0.5 and have to watch the moves until a blunder happens. It's a kind of puzzle. I like your idea and hope lichess do it (especially starting in endgame positions)
there is a video about a similar idea if anyone is interested
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTcvbDbVbtM
