Owen Defense · B00

Unicorn Variation

1. e4 f6 2. d4 b6 3. c4 Bb7

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... f6 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Barnes Defense.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... b6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via b7.

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