Owen Defense · B00

Smith Gambit

1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nf3

Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... b6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via b7. Theory calls this the Owen Defense.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... Bb7 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d5 and e4 from a distance.

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