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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...a5

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Corn Stalk Defence
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black kingb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black pawnb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 black kinge4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 white pawne2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.e4 a5
ECO code: B00
Parent: King's Pawn Opening

Ware Defence/Corn Stalk Defence

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The Corn Stalk Defence, also known as the Ware Defence or Corn Stalks, is a rare chess opening with the moves:

1. e4 a5?!

It is generally regarded as a dubious response to 1. e4, as it does nothing to aid in Black's development, allows White a free hand in the center, and weakens the b5 and b6 squares. Note the rook development to a6 is already prevented. However, if played in a style similar to 1...a6, namely with Black playing 2...b6 and 3...Bb7, it can be effective. Preston Ware, someone known for playing eccentric openings, often used the Corn Stalk Defence in tournament play, with decent success.

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References

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