Owen Defense (B00)
Wilhelm Steinitz – Cecil De Vere
Paris 1867
1.e4 b6
The Owen Defense has traditionally been a rare choice in master play, but in recent years two books have been written about it.
2.d4
When your opponent allows you to set up the ideal center, feel free to oblige!
2…Bb7
3.Bd3
White develops, defends the e-pawn, and prepares for castling. 3.Nc3 is another good move.
3…d6
This weakens the light squares slightly and neglects kingside development. 3…e6 is more logical, as played in the next game. Our chapter on the Owen Defense shows other alternatives such as 3…f5.
4.Ne2
Developing. There is nothing wrong with the normal 4.Nf3, but Steinitz (the first World Champion) wants to erect a strong pawn chain g2-f3-e4.
4…Nd7 5.0-0
See our opening goals above; now castling has been achieved.
5…e5 6.c3
This makes sure central control is maintained, because …exd4 will be met by cxd4.
6…Ngf6 7.f3
At first glance this seems to be some sort of Philidor Defense but for the abnormal position of Black’s bishop at b7, whose influence is limited by White’s pawns on e4 and f3.
7…h5?
A reckless non-developing move. For one thing, there aren’t enough pieces supporting the kingside attack. This is the sort of move a beginner plays.
8.Be3 h4 9.Nd2
Completing development. Now White’s rooks are almost connected.
9…Nh5
Black’s forces are underdeveloped and uncoordinated. White has prepared an explosive opening of the position.
10.f4!
The attack begins. White’s idea is to open the f-file for the rook. His queen is not developed yet because it doesn’t yet have a clear destination.
10…exf4 11.Nxf4 Nxf4 12.Bxf4
12…g5?
Black continues with his plan of attacking with no piece support.
13.Be3 Qe7 14.Qb3
The rooks are connected, as prescribed above. Black wants to castle queenside, even if an attack by White along the a-file with a4-a5 would be difficult to defend against. But right now castling is not on anyway, because the pawn at f7 needs the protection of the king. You know you are in trouble when a pawn relies crucially on its monarch! Incidentally, 14.Qg4 was also very strong.
14…d5?
This will allow White to open the e-file for his other rook.
15.Rae1
Now White has every piece out and is ready to attack. All opening tasks have been completed.
Finally Black castles, but to the compromised queenside.
16.exd5!
Black resigns already, because he has no defense against the threats of Bf4 and d5-d6 followed by Rxf7. Notice that 16…Nf6 is met by 17.Bxg5.
Owen Defense (B00)
Jose Capablanca – Souza Campos
San Paolo 1927
1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3 e6
We saw 3…d6 in the previous game.
4.Nf3 c5 5.0-0
Capablanca (the third World Champion) plays according to our prescription and castles. He could also support the center by 5.c3.
5…cxd4 6.Nxd4 Ne7 7.Nc3 Ng6 8.Be3 Bc5 9.Qh5
Every move brings out a new piece. This not only activates White’s queen, but connects his rooks.
9…0-0
Black has managed to get some of his pieces out, but he is still behind in development and will be unable to find effective squares for his rooks and queen. Just as importantly, he lacks space and is limited to defense.
10.Rad1!
Black’s backward pawn at d7 is unlikely to advance soon. White uses this preparatory move to allow the rook to operate on the d-file, keeping in mind the possibility of a rook lift along the third rank.
10…Bxd4
Black concedes the bishop pair to gain momentum for development, but that is a high price to pay.
11.Bxd4 Nc6 12.Be3
The attacking player often wants to prevent simplification, and this also gives White the advantage of the bishop pair.
12…e5?
Black is concerned with preventing f4-f5 and grabs control of d4, but the price is too high. He concedes the a2-g8 diagonal and allows White to use the outpost on d5, as well as the d6-square, for his pieces.
13.Bc4 Kh8 14.Rd6!
White immobilizes the weak pawn, and incidentally keeps an eye on both Black knights.
14…Qe7 15.Rfd1 Rad8 16.Bg5! f6
Black has to weaken the kingside.
17.Qxg6!!
This must have come as quite a shock!
17…hxg6 18.R6d3
The weakness of the diagonal sets up mating possibilities, beginning with 19.Rh3.
18…Rf7
Blocking the bishop’s control of g8.
19.Nd5! Qc5 20.Rh3+ Kg8
21.Nxf6+!
White forces a very nice checkmate.
21…Kf8
21…gxf6 22.Bxf6 is followed by mate at h8.
22.Rh8+ Ke7 23.Re8+ Rxe8 24.Rxd7+ Kf8 25.Rxf7#
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