To me, the first move white a1-a3 seems winning to me. There is nothing you can do about it.
Some options:
- We can restrict white to one neutral first move, like in pente.
- We can restrict white's by forbidding to make his second move on the same line as the first move.
- We can let black choose after the first move with which colour he wants to proceed. Like Hex, a connecting game.