ECO B00 · Owen Defense

Owen Defense: Smith Gambit

1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nf3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… Bxe4−0.48

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Owen Defense: Smith Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Bxe4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.483… Bxe4 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. d5 e6 6. a3 Nf6 7. Bc4 b5 8. Ba2
  2. +0.583… e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. d5 exd5 6. exd5 Bxd5 7. Nc3 Be6 8. Bf4
  3. +0.803… d6 4. Bd3 Nd7 5. Nc3 g6 6. h4 h6 7. Qe2 Bg7 8. h5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Owen Defense: Smith Gambit?
After 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Bxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. d5 e6 6. a3 Nf6 7. Bc4 b5 8. Ba2. Black is slightly better (−0.48). The next best moves are 3… e6 (+0.58) and 3… d6 (+0.80).
Is the Owen Defense: Smith Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.48: black 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: Smith Gambit?
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+).