Flag placement for ME games

[Cross]

Why don't you put the 21st one right in the middle? Even if the players both decides to go on the defence on what they have, somebody still needs to take flag 21.
Or doesn't it really make a difference in the bigger scheme of things?

Because the player to move first will capture the middle flag before the second player can get there. Giving the first player an advantage.

Which is the reason why we use a 'no-mans-land', so both players only capture 10 each without a fight.

If they want anything but a draw, they'll need to capture a defended enemy flag, which they'll have to fight for.