You could also think of something like "no Ship Construction" (the Light Carrier is your friend), which would be the opposite of "No Fighters". Or along the sames lines, an Anklebiter game, though you might want to lower/remove mines from such a game.
Incidentally, what is the difference between "Must take one special race" and "Can only take a special race" Slynky? Does it mean that in the first case you are allowed to pick more than one? I admit that idea would not cross my mind, unless I have ample time to do two lengthy research paths. Even my research powerhouse would be hard pressed to have effective racial research done before the war happens.
(Except the Religious technologies I guess, which allows you to skip other technologies such as Psychology, Combat Sensors, and gives you a few other nice bonuses along the way)