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ECO A00Flank opening

Ware Opening

A first move from the edge of the board

  • Offbeat

White starts with 1.a4: the pawn walks along the edge, eyes the b5 square and frees the a1 rook. The centre is left unattended, and that is the whole problem. The opening is thought weak and is seldom seen: against 1…e5 or 1…d5 White usually just slides into normal positions with 2.e4 or 2.d4. It is played for surprise or for a joke, not for an advantage.

Interactive Opening Board

3…Nc6

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Black
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♔
White
3…Nc6
Speed:

Moves

(6 plies • 3 moves)
3…Nc6Tabiya
  1. 1–3moves
  2. 1.
  3. 2.
  4. 3.

Defining move

1.a4 — the pawn on the edge

The move that names the opening and makes it a rarity

The a4 pawn eyes b5 and in time lets the rook out to the third rank. But it does nothing for the centre or for development. Black gets what Black wants: …e5 or …d5 without interference, and extra space.

Tabiya

A Vienna Game in which the spare move is a4

After 1…e5 2.e4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 the game has become an ordinary open one, except that White's spare move is a4. Black is developed calmly and takes no risks. White wants to forget the first move and play as in a Vienna Game, while Black simply follows the opening principles.

White’s plan

  • Return to ordinary opening principles as soon as possible: e4 or d4.
  • Use the b5 square and, when it fits, swing the rook along the third rank.
  • Hope the opponent does not know how to answer an off-beat first move.

Black’s plan

  • Claim the centre with …e5 or …d5.
  • Develop calmly: White's first move creates no threats.
  • If White plays Ra3 too early, take it: …Bxa3 wins the exchange.

History

The opening is named after the American player Preston Ware, and is also called the Meadow Hay Opening.

Notable players

Magnus Carlsen

Games in the Atlas

No games in the Atlas yet

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