Invisibl suggested that players should choose their castles after the map is chosen. Since it's not too late – only one game has started – this part can be changed. Anyone interested, please respond, and also ShadoWMaN and SpiriTT – they have already started a game...

This is a perfectly logical and reasonable suggestion. Some points from the regulations remind me of the age of dinosaurs. We are here trying to determine the strongest player, not the luckiest one who happened to choose the best castles by "pointing at the sky." If we wait for everyone to respond, the New Year will arrive before we even play a qualifying match. I want to note that last season, this was exactly the method used to choose castles.
I would also like to add: if we upgrade the rules, it's possible that many more people will play here. Has anyone considered this?