Ware Opening: Symmetric Variation

Ware Opening: Symmetric Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code A00, part of the Ware Opening family. It goes 1. a4 a5. White opens with 1. a4 and Black answers 1... a5. After 2 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... a5 – Black plays the pawn to a5

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.

Related openings

• It extends: Ware Opening (1. a4)
• Related line: Ware Opening: Meadow Hay Trap (1. a4 e5 2. Ra3)
• Related line: Ware Opening: Ware Gambit (1. a4 e5 2. a5 d5 3. e3 f5 4. a6)
• Related line: Ware Opening: Crab Variation (1. a4 e5 2. h4)
• Related line: Ware Opening: Wing Gambit (1. a4 b5 2. axb5 Bb7)
• Related line: Ware Opening: Cologne Gambit (1. a4 b6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nd7)

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