Ware Opening: Cologne Gambit is a chess opening with the ECO code A00, part of the Ware Opening family. It goes 1. a4 b6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nd7. White opens with 1. a4 and Black answers 1... b6. After 6 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.
The moves
1. a4 – White plays the pawn to a4
1... b6 – Black plays the pawn to b6
2. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
2... d5 – Black plays the pawn to d5
3. Nc3 – White plays the knight to c3
3... Nd7 – Black plays the knight to d7
About the Ware Opening
White starts with 1.a4, one of the least useful first moves. It is a rare surprise; the rook may later come out via a3.
The idea is a rook lift with Ra3 or queenside space.
Black should simply take the centre with ...e5 and ...d5.
White loses time, so Black can develop quickly and easily equalise.
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