Owen and St George: 1...b6 is variation 5 of 6 in the Beating 1.e4 sidelines course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO B00). It runs 17 moves and begins 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 Nf6 …. Black puts the bishop on b7 to hit e4. White guards e4 with the bishop and the queen, then pushes the pawn to e5. The same calm plan works against the St George. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... b6 – The Owen Defence. The bishop will go to b7 and hit e4.
2. d4 – White takes the centre with two pawns.
2... Bb7 – The bishop attacks e4.
3. Bd3 – The bishop guards e4 and gets ready for castling.
3... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop.
4. Nf3 – White develops and gets ready to castle.
4... Nf6 – The knight attacks e4 again.
5. Qe2 – The queen guards e4. Now White is ready to push the pawn to e5.
5... d5 – The best answer. Black hits e4 with a pawn.
6. e5 – White pushes the pawn and kicks the knight. The b7 bishop now hits a wall.
6... Nfd7 – The knight steps back.
7. c3 – The pawn supports d4. White's centre is strong.
7... c5 – Black hits the base of the chain.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... Nc6 – Black adds pressure on d4.
The lesson goes on for 1 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM