ECO A00 · Ware Opening

Ware Opening: Crab Variation

1. a4 e5 2. h4

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

2… d5−0.91

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ware Opening: Crab Variation (A00), reached after 1. a4 e5 2. h4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.91).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.912… d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bd6 5. d3 c6 6. e4 O-O 7. Ne2
  2. −0.892… Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bd6 5. d3 c6 6. e4 O-O 7. Ne2
  3. −0.842… Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. g3 h6 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. d3 Be6 7. b4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ware Opening: Crab Variation?
After 1. a4 e5 2. h4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black, continuing 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bd6 5. d3 c6 6. e4 O-O 7. Ne2. Black is clearly better (−0.91). The next best moves are 2… Nf6 (−0.89) and 2… Nc6 (−0.84).
Is the Ware Opening: Crab Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.91: Black is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Ware Opening: Crab Variation?
A00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

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