| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | 8 |
| 7 |  | | | | | | | | 7 |
| 6 |  | | | | | | | | 6 |
| 5 | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| 4 |  | | | | | | | | 4 |
| 3 | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| 1 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | 1 |
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
The Ware Opening, or Meadow Hay Opening, is a rare flank opening starting with the move
- a4
This opening is named after Preston Ware. This opening is rare because it is useless and does not do anything to control the center. This might threaten to bring White’s queenside rook into the game by moving it to a3, but black can stop this threat by playing e6 or e5 because Black’s kingside bishop can capture the rook. White can then come to their senses and play e4 after black plays e5, making a4 a passing move like you wanted the black pieces but you got the white pieces, or white can continue with their plan of bringing the rook out very early and play 2. a5!?, which black cannot stop the rook from moving to a4. If black tries to stop it by playing 2. b5?, white can en passant (3. axb6). If white plays 2. h4 instead, trying to bring out the other rook by the same method, black can stop this by playing 2. d5.
Variations[]
Ware Opening: Wing Gambit 1.a4 b5 2.axb5 Bb7
Ware Opening: Cologne Gambit 1.a4 b6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nd7
Ware Opening: Symmetric Variation 1.a4 a5
Ware Opening: Crab Variation 1.a4 e5 2.h4
Ware Opening: Ware Gambit 1.a4 e5 2.a5 d5 3.e3 f5 4.a6
Ware Opening: Meadow Hay Trap 1.a4 e5 2.Ra3