Corn Stalk Defense
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- This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
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| Moves | 1. e4 a5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECO | B00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | King's Pawn Game | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonym(s) | Ware Defense, Corn Stalks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chessgames.com opening explorer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Corn Stalk Defense, also known as the Ware Defense or simply Corn Stalks, is a chess opening characterised by the moves:
This is widely regarded as a dubious response to the King's Pawn Opening, and is very rarely played in serious games. It ignores the center, and opens up no lines for developing Black's pieces. Black is unable to advantageously move the rook to a6 immediately as White's bishop on f1 can take the rook leading to loss of material for Black. Also note that the rook development to a6, if it was possible to play without losing material, is considered an inferior way of developing it. U.S. chess player Preston Ware played the Corn Stalk in eleven recorded tournament games from 1880 to 1882, winning four and losing seven. The Corn Stalk is considered an unorthodox response to the King's Pawn Opening, and is classified under the B00 code in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, along with other unorthodox responses to 1. e4.
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[edit] Variations
The Corn Stalk Defense has only one named variation, known as the Snagkeouss Defense. It runs as follows:
2. d4 Nc6
After 1. e4 a5 2. d4, Preston Ware played:
- 2... e6 - 5 times
- 2... d5 - 2 times
- 2... b6 - 2 times
In Ware's two other recorded games with the Corn Stalk, 2. Nc3 and 2. Bc4 were played.
[edit] Quotes
Here is a list of quotes made by strong chess players or computers regarding the Corn Stalk Defense:
- Chessmaster 10th edition-
"In light of chess theory, this is a silly move by Black, with no redeeming significance. It considerably weakens both the b6 and b5 squares, and adds nothing to Black's prospects execpt a meaningless attack on b4. Note the rook development to a6 is already prevented."
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Dunnington, Angus (2000), Winning Unorthodox Openings, Everyman Chess, ISBN 978-1857442854
- Eric Schiller (1998). Unorthodox Chess Openings. Cardoza. ISBN 0-940685-73-6. p. 471
- Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings, Second Edition, Cardoza. ISBN 1-58042-072-9. p. 504
