Seems you are right.
This is also exactly the "main" line given by Adrien Demuth "The Modernized Reti" where he doesn't seem happy with the possible alternative 2.g3 Bb7 3.Bg2 g6!? and he therefore also prefers Owen's Defense. In his book he assesses the line after 4.d4 as "enough for an opening advantage" for White. When looking up I was surprised that 2...c5 would also be a possilbe transposition to a Sicilian sideline - although unlikely to be played according to Demuth.
Interesting. I did a bit of digging and it seems the following line is critical:
I'd be interested to hear the view of @darkunorthodox88, who is an expert on Owen's Defense.
Other than this line, there also seems to be the option of playing 2.b3, with the idea of going for a double fianchetto:
Interesting. I did a bit of digging and it seems the following line is critical:
I'd be interested to hear the view of @darkunorthodox88, who is an expert on Owen's Defense.
Other than this line, there also seems to be the option of playing 2.b3, with the idea of going for a double fianchetto:
sorry for not replying sooner.
this line where black sacs the b pawn is well known, but both computer analysis and my own experience in otb games leads me to believe white is lucky if he escapes with dynamic equality.
black has to keep two things in mind in mind when playing these lines.
1. black should play h6 asap to avoid any funny ng5-qh5 business
2.black will not 0-0 or play for an early c5. black will play, h6, nc6, qd7 and 0-0-0. black is actually quite save on that side of the board all things considered. the lack of b pawn for white, means that white's pawn storm will not be impressive as the b-file will bite granite on b6. the a pawn is easily blockaded, and c4, often just helps black activate the finachetto. After 0-0-0, black will play for moves like g5, rdg8 and begin a pawn storm. a timely f6 in the right position is also in the cards.
the 2.b3 is of course fine for white, but its hardly a try for fist move advantage. it may very well be a psychologically wise move. I hate seeing "passive" hypermodern replies to ambitious dynamic openings. It may make black lose patient and play prematurely.
it is well known that 1.nf3 b6 is a safer way to reach the owen's defense by transposition. This move order avoids, two of the more difficult formations that white can adopt, (namely, e4 d4 ,bd3 , qe2, and e4 d4 bd3 nc3 nge2). the e4 d4 nc3 nf3 are fairly straightforward and black has very good equalizing chances.
see, eljanov carlsen with b6 or spassky miles which transposed so you can see how ok black is in these owen lines. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1097511
a big problem in white's "attack" is that he is often left babysitting the d4 square (although notice that d4 cannot be taken right away because of the threat of qg4!, but this keeps the f3 knight from regrouping and going for an early f4, this gives black enough time to castle to safety, or build up g6 ).
and idk exactly what white is hoping from this position. black, will play qd7 0-0-0, and either start some sort of kingside pawnstorm, or play for na5 with intentions of nc4 and qa4 manuevers, or even c5 if the time is right. i dont see any real compensation for white's pawn gambit.
I know there are a lot of people who like Owen's Defense, and let's agree to disagree on this one
However, my question is this: I don't see any way for white to exploit the move order of 1.Nf3 b6, without allowing black a transposition to a mainstream opening. 1.Nf3 b6 2.e4 looked most promising at first, but then 2...Bb7 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 leads to a line which AFAIK is considered to be equal and gives black good play. Does anyone have any good suggestions against this move order, or do I just have to accept that 1.Nf3 b6 is as good as any other move?