Owen Defense

An unconventional and offbeat opening, it aims to control the center with pieces rather than pawns and can lead to unbalanced positions.

The opening is not very popular at the highest level, but can be a surprise weapon for club players. It is characterized by the move 1...b6, which prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop on b7. This opening is named after the English vicar and strong amateur player John Owen, who used it with success in the 19th century.

The main idea behind this opening is to control the center with pieces rather than pawns, which can lead to unbalanced positions and catch the opponent off guard. It can transpose into other openings such as the French Defense, the Pirc Defense, or the Modern Defense, depending on how both players continue.

One of the main drawbacks of this opening is that it allows White to quickly build a strong pawn center with moves like d4 and c4. This can lead to a passive position for Black if they are not careful. However, it can also lead to sharp and tactical play if both players are well-prepared.

In recent years, some strong grandmasters have experimented with this opening, including Hikaru Nakamura and Baadur Jobava. While it may not be the most reliable choice for Black, it can be a fun and interesting way to catch your opponent off guard and create unique and challenging positions.