Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
9,257 games: White 63.2% / Draw 3.5% / Black 33.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,1773,177 | ||
| 2,9772,977 | ||
| 780780 | ||
| 485485 | ||
| 391391 | ||
| 362362 | ||
| 318318 | ||
| 226226 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.55 White is clearly better
Best play: 3. Nc3 e6 4. d5 Nb8 5. Bd2 Nf6 6. g4 Bb4 7. Qf3 exd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Ware Defense, reached after 1. e4 a5 2. d4 Nc6 (2 moves).
In 9,257 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 63.2%, Black 33.3% and 3.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. d5, in 34% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense
3. c4 scores best for White: 66.7%, with White winning 64.7% and Black 31.4% of 780 games. The most played, 3. d5, scores 65.1% in 3,177 games, and 3. f4 scores lowest: 63.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 3. Nc3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Ware Defense: Snagglepuss Defense (B00)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ware-defense-snagglepuss-defense