ECO B00 · Ware Defense

Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense

1. e4 a5 2. d4 Nc6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. d5+1.04

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense (B00), reached after 1. e4 a5 2. d4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. d5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.04).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.043. d5 Nb8 4. Nc3 e5 5. f4 Bb4 6. Qh5 exf4 7. Qe5+ Kf8
  2. +0.983. Nc3 e6 4. d5 Nb8 5. Qf3 d6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. O-O-O e5
  3. +0.943. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bd3 d6 6. O-O Bxc3 7. bxc3 Nge7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense?
After 1. e4 a5 2. d4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. d5 for White, continuing Nb8 4. Nc3 e5 5. f4 Bb4 6. Qh5 exf4 7. Qe5+ Kf8. White is clearly better (+1.04). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+0.98) and 3. Nf3 (+0.94).
Is the Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.04: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense?
B00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).