ECO B00 · for Black
Owen Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
13,906,212 games in this band reached the Owen Defense position. From there Black won 46% and drew 4%.
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 Bb4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Bd2 Nxc3 8. bxc3
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... b6
Intending to place the light-squared bishop on the long diagonal where it pressures White's center and kingside.
2. d4
Gaining space in the center while black is fianchettoing.
- 2. Nf3: Developing the knight and remaining flexible without overextending in the center.
2... Bb7
Placing the bishop on the long diagonal where it pressures the center and white kingside.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 Bb4
3. Nc3
Developing the knight and defending the e4 pawn
- 3. Bd3: Defending the e4 pawn with the bishop rather than the queenside knight (which might potentially be removed as a defender with Bb4 later).
- 3. d5: Expanding further and gaining even more space. Black will not be able to develop normally because of the space advantage.
3... e6
4. Nf3
4... Bb4
Moves 5 to 6
5. Bd3 Nf6 6. e5 Nd5
5. Bd3
5... Nf6
6. e5
6... Nd5
Moves 7 to 8
7. Bd2 Nxc3 8. bxc3
7. Bd2
7... Nxc3
8. bxc3
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles kingside
- The pawn on d6 generally captures the pawn on e5
- The bishop on b4 often moves to e7
- The queenside knight usually develops to d7
- Common pawn moves are h6, d6, and c5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black