Owen Defense
1. e4 b6
2. Nc3+0.77
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Owen Defense (B00), reached after 1. e4 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.77).
Top engine moves
- +0.772. Nc3 Bb7 3. d4 e6 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. h4 d6 6. h5 h6
- +0.762. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. d5 exd5 6. exd5 Bxd5
- +0.702. Nf3 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. Nd2 d6
All Owen Defense variations (7)
- Guatemala DefenseB001. e4 b6 2. d4 Ba6
- Hekili-Loa GambitB001. e4 b6 2. d4 c5 3. dxc5 Nc6
- Matovinsky GambitB001. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 f5 4. exf5 Bxg2 5. Qh5+ g6
- Naselwaus GambitB001. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bg5
- Smith GambitB001. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nf3
- Unicorn VariationB001. e4 f6 2. d4 b6 3. c4 Bb7
- Wind GambitB001. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. f3 e5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Owen Defense?
After 1. e4 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. Nc3 for White, continuing Bb7 3. d4 e6 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. h4 d6 6. h5 h6. White is slightly better (+0.77). The next best moves are 2. d4 (+0.76) and 2. Nf3 (+0.70).
Is the Owen Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.77: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Owen Defense?
B00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).