Hmm, you’re right.
This may tip the balance in favor of columns 201-204 over 101-104, as there are now many fewer asterisks in 201-204. In other words, ultimate perfection may be more likely if the colors don’t work in round 2.
I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve been lecturing for years on the dangers of making colors work too well in the early rounds of a small tournament. This now may become just another (but more extreme) example.
If this is true, could it be that the cardinal rule of pairing a quad-plus-one should be: in round 2, pair the players that had white against each other, and likewise black. … ?
Further research is necessary, as other details are involved. Maybe later today.
Bill Smythe