Balance and symmetry
This may be just a quirk of mine - but when using blocks that are of the "alternate" type - I much prefer using a checkerboard setting or even rows x even rows or odd rows x odd rows setting.
It just feels "wrong" and "uncomfortable" to me to use an even x odd setting (like B).
A is a checkerboard type setting - even x even setting
C is an odd row x odd row setting.
D and E are just extremes. D is odd x odd - but unbalanced.
E is odd x even and unbalanced.
Do any of you also have these preferences?