Chess Masterclass | Owen’s Defense!

Chess Masterclass | Owen’s Defense!
There are many popular chess openings for black against e4 such as the French Defense, Pirc Defense, Scandinavian Defense, Caro-Kann Defense, Sicilian Defense, Nimzowitsch Defense, Alekhine Defense. However, usually white is prepared for all of these chess openings for black, and they take a ton of time to learn the opening theory. Is there a move we can play as black that takes white by surprise but still holds that high level of chess strategy? The answer is yes, and in today's video I'll be showing you the Owen's Defense, a dangerous and fun chess opening for black against e4. By playing b6 on the first move, we want to fianchetto our bishop on b7 and put immediate pressure on the e4 pawn. We will then develop our pieces, aggressively fight for counterplay, and sometimes look to checkmate the opponent's king.
Most "Learn to Play" chess opening videos, I cover the chess opening lines, chess opening variations, chess opening theory, chess opening moves, chess opening tricks, chess opening traps, and chess opening ideas as whole. However, in today's video I start a new series, in that I play the chess opening and explain my thought process through it. This is meant to give you the practical side of the opening. It is one thing to learn from a chess book, and another to gain experience through playing a chess opening system. Hopefully this will give you Owen's Defense players some new ideas!
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[@Tertale]

omg you actually did my suggestion

[@TheChessGiant]

Yessir! Full chess opening courses coming to my website soon.

[@simonwright6508]

"I'm far from perfect as a person and as a chess player" made me smile, what a legend.

[@TheChessGiant]

🙏🏽

[@PepJuice]

Thank you. I was actually just working on the owens defence. So it s a very welcome gift for me.

[@cwhawes]

I love Owen's Defense and regularly play it. This was helpful as I haven't thought of f5 before. Please do more of these!

[@TheChessGiant]

Nice! And ya f5 is a GREAT option when the opponent has a bishop on d3 and a knight on g1. I have a video uploading in a couple weeks against "The Chess Dwarf" in which I play this same idea. Glad you liked it, happy to help!

[@IanKiwi30]

This is such an instructive video. Your chess videos are of the highest quality. More Owens defence please

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for the kind words brotha. And thanks for putting the Owen's Defense on my radar!

[@spidermonkey7280]

This is fantastic. Id love to see more 10 or 15 minute games where you explain your thought process for various openings. Great work as always

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you liked it brotha! More on the way!

[@fredheinz1134]

Move order is important, e4 b6 d4, black should play 2.. e6 which allows the c8 bishop to come out sooner and pin the knight on c3, whereas if 2... Bb7, 3. Nc3 e6 4. a3 blocks the pin.

[@matheusclaudio7529]

Very good video, I've been using this opening via E6 B6, it is very good on my level, Thanks

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Matheus! and nice that's a good way to go about it.

[@people0n]

I like how solomon played

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you liked it brotha!

[@dennisharrell2236]

I like games like this where somebody explains their thinking as the game is being played. Somebody who explains logically and clearly is a good teacher. And I don't mind if they are surprised when they miss a move by the opponent. Even Magnus Carlson is surprised by a response from time to time.

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you liked this one Dennis! Wishing you a good week.

[@leonarddaye7550]

Thanks for the video!

[@judemorales4U]

Anyone i play with would bring pawn to a3. No one ever shows this move but it is a common reply to that bishop pin.

[@TheChessGiant]

Ya at that point we just find different ways to strike with d5/c5. I have seen a3 before but not super common in my games at least.

[@Edouard7800]

Very good format buddy we m!ssed more like it, everytime instructive

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha!

[@paulvandervelden4087]

nice video and thought process explanations

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Paul!

[@arthurwieczorek4894]

8:56. I like K-d2 for black.

[@BrentMurrell]

Owen's defense rating climb!

[@TheChessGiant]

Love this idea!

[@jongib369]

When you played Bishop to B4, how would you have responded to A3?

[@lazarorosenberg7795]

never mind, it loses the queen.

[@fazzolarijames]

Any resources you’d recommend for learning the Owen’s vs the English opening?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hmm I'll have to think on that! In all honesty it would probably turn into an English Defense much of the time if white ever plays d4.... and if not we can just continue with our usual Bb7 - e6 - Nf6 - d5 stuff.

[@johnybalohny]

Why is it so common in openings like the Owens, Hippo, and Modern, that after you fianchetto, you move that middle pawn forward one space? Is it just to let the other bishop have sight?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Johny, great question! Yep to give the bishop sight and fight for light-squares like d5 and f5. In openings like this, we simply can't play e5 as white usually has taken up the center and is attacking that square. So, we play e6 continue developing in that fashion. Hope this helps!

[@johnybalohny]

@@TheChessGiant Ah thank you, makes perfect sense, I was just doing that move robotically because that's what I was supposed to do next.

[@lazarorosenberg7795]

on move 11 for black, how about Nd5, threating a queen swap?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Lazaro, looks like you figured it out! Hope you've been well!

[@prythal]

anyone here learning this because their name is owen?

[@TheChessGiant]

Haha that's awesome.

[@BagofShittyOranges]

I was wonder why not play Rg8 on move 12 but after fxe5 the bishop eyes the h pawn and the knight is pinned because Qxd8 would lose the queen

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey! If you could send a timestamp so I know exactly where in the video you're talking about that would be great! Thanks!

[@brao3102]

Missed the chance to say one of your taglines " Just going to throw in a little Checkerooski" . Good game, started using the Owen's after your other video.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hahaha - been awhile since I've used this one haha. Glad you enjoyed this one. Wishing you a good week Bra.

[@nowshadmonishi8083]

Excellent commentary move by move . Keep up the good work friend. Smile, you are helping many budding chess players.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! Appreciate this more than you know! 🙏🏽❤️

[@kriszed5329]

Big fan of you Chess Giant , but damn your advice at 4mins 42 (the f3 line) just got me destroyed, lol. White plays Qh5 check first, and from there it all goes downhill. You did say "win the bishop ideas" and I suppose that is what they are- "ideas"

[@TheChessGiant]

Sorry to hear! In that position black is simply better but it does take high accuracy and black can slip the position quick if not careful!

[@bendixperschk5349]

One note: ...Qh5+ is strong according to the computers, even without prior taking on f3. So, 6. f3 Qh5+ 7. g3 Qh5, 8. Bd2 fxe4 and Black is already slightly better.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for the good analysis!

[@skyeruddell3196]

Keep up the good work

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you!

[@johnmahugu]

today is when i am learning this, but actually won my first game first time seeing this, very very good game, fun opening. owen.

[@TheChessGiant]

That's great John! Ya the Owen's Defense is a fun option for black, with many opportunites/chances to potentially win that pawn on e4.

[@WOXZE]

Nice Game Bro. Thanks for sharing, keep playing

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video, and will do!

[@user-MetalAngel]

I don't understand why you gave up your rook, when all you needed to do was either move your rook or your king to g8?! I do agree with your comment earlier in the opening however, about playing Nc3. If your opponent wants to play that, then they should prep with a3 first, or opt to play the knight to Nd2.

[@chunky4658]

you are so cool chess giant man dude

[@TheChessGiant]

You too brotha!!

[@kajuanweaver1607]

My favorite opening!😁👌

[@TheChessGiant]

Yessir! I'm not sure what mine is but it's up there for me!!

[@yesyes300]

Is there any way to appear in a video?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hmmmm I'll have to get thinking on this, any ideas?

[@TheScalaechelon]

Thats a larsen attack for black

[@TheChessGiant]

Yep, that's exactly right. Larsen's Opening/Owen's Defense repertoire go well together + a comfortability for the player as they're always reaching similar positions which the opponent is not used to.

[@joejoe-ds8xr]

I think this was one of your strongest lessons..perfect pace thorough explanations and very helpful.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Joe! I'm trying to improve so this means a lot to me! Glad to help.

[@adelsonpinon3517]

Hi Chess Giant, thanks for the awesome video! I´d like to know if you could make a video about playing the Owen´s defense with black and with white, something similar to what you did with the hippo.

[@TheChessGiant]

Love this idea, thanks for sharing!

[@BenRook]

I don't know how many of these Masterclass vids you've done so far, but I welcome the chance to see more in the future so fire away!

[@TheChessGiant]

This is the first one! New series dropping every Monday. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kalistadrake5226]

Another great lesson, Solomon! Thank you for teaching me the Owen's Defense. I will definitely try it if get the chance. One question, though; Can you play it against 1. d4 ? Maybe I should fianchetto the other B for that ? Any thoughts? Thanks again!

[@JumpNMustang]

When you play it against 1. d4 or 1. c4 or 1. Nf3 it's an English defense. Related but not exactly the same.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Kalista! Ya against d4 you can play the "English Defense" which invites a Owen's Defense transposition! It can lead to an Owen's Defense or Queen's Indian Defense based on what you see. Here is a link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpnTl5WdhNZnpMU

[@kemomaynard5417]

Hello the Chess Giant, thanks for the chess lessons. I am learning a lot.

[@TheChessGiant]

You're very welcome brotha! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and getting something out of them! The Owen's Defense is an underrated one.

[@Aji-llo]

Show us what to do if White plays 1.e4 2.d4 3.Nc3 4.Bd3 5.Nbd2. This line seems close to refuting the Owen's Defense

[@dennisharrell2236]

Didn't the b knight move to c3 on move 3?

[@Aji-llo]

@@dennisharrell2236 yeah this is a different line where White deviates from the game on move 4

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Grodalo, did you mean 5. Nge2?

[@Aji-llo]

@@TheChessGiant Yes, my bad I did mean 5.Nge2. My experience with the Owen's is that it is a good surprise weapon against unprepared opponents but I often find myself fighting with a worse position out of the opening and into the middlegame. This has kept me away from using this opening OTB

[@Aji-llo]

@@TheChessGiant The Qe2 lines are also problematic