Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...b6

Owen's defence B00 King's pawn opening 1...b6 · Owen's defence A very rare and uncommon response to the King's pawn game It may transpose to an English opening or other lines. It is offbeat in that Black allows White to play 2. d4 and easily control the centre. Black usually fianchettos the light-squared bishop to b7, and may plan to assault White's big centre with ...c5. History 1...b6 is named after John Owen (1827―1901), an English vicar and chess master, who scored a surprise victory with it over Paul Morphy in 1858.Morphy v Owen, 1858. Chessgames.com Gioachino Greco, 17th century chess author, published the earliest games in this line. He published two miniatures, one that gave a refutation to 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 f5? and another where Black fianchettos both bishops.Greco v NN, 1623. Chessgames.comGreco v NN, 1623. Chessgames.com Owen's defence is sometimes seen among club players. Theory table 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 Owen's defence References See also Owen's Defence