Corn Stalk Defense

The Corn Stalk Defense, also known as the Ware Defense or simply Corn Stalks, is a chess opening characterised by the moves:

1. Opening theory in chess/1. e4 Opening theory in chess/1. e4/1...a5

This is widely regarded as a dubious response to the King's Pawn Opening, and is very rarely played in serious games. It ignores the center, and opens up no lines for developing Black's pieces. Black is unable to advantageously move the rook to a6 immediately as White's bishop on f1 can take the rook leading to loss of material for Black. Also note that the rook development to a6, if it was possible to play without losing material, is considered an inferior way of developing it. U.S. chess player Preston Ware played the Corn Stalk in eleven recorded tournament games from 1880 to 1882, winning four and losing seven. The Corn Stalk is considered an unorthodox response to the King's Pawn Opening, and is classified under the B00 code in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, along with other unorthodox responses to 1. e4.

Variations

2. d4 Nc6

After 1. e4 a5 2. d4, Preston Ware played:

• 2... e6 - 5 times
• 2... d5 - 2 times
• 2... b6 - 2 times

In Ware's two other recorded games with the Corn Stalk, 2. Nc3 and 2. Bc4 were played.

See also

• Ware Opening
• Preston Ware
• Semi-Open Game

References

• Eric Schiller (1998). Unorthodox Chess Openings. Cardoza. p. 471
• Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings. Second Edition, Cardoza. p. 504

External links

• Preston Ware's games with 1. e4 a5 at ChessGames.com