| This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moves | 1. a4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECO | A00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Preston Ware | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Irregular chess opening | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonym(s) | Meadow Hay Opening | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chessgames.com opening explorer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Ware Opening or Meadow Hay Opening, is an uncommon chess opening in which White opens with
It is named after U.S. chess player Preston Ware, who often played uncommon openings. It is considered an irregular opening, so it is classified under the A00 code in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.
The Ware opening attacks the b5 square and threatens to bring the a1 rook to the game. The b5 square is non-essential and if Black plays 1...e5, the f8 bishop prevents developing the white rook for the moment. The reply 1...e5 also gains space for Black in the center, something that openings are supposed to do but Ware Opening fails in. Noting all this, the Ware Opening is something one may only expect to see from players completely new to chess.
Usually, an experienced player using the Ware Opening will meet a response of 1... d5 or 1... e5 with 2. d4 or 2. e4, respectively, as a reversed Scandinavian or Englund Gambit would be unsound here. At some later point the move a5 will be made, followed by Ra4 (as Ra3?? invites ...Bxa3 Nxa3 with a definite advantage for Black).
There are several named variations in the Ware Opening. The best known of these is the