History
The opening is named after the English vicar and strong 19th-century amateur chess player John Owen, an early exponent. Howard Staunton wrote in 1847 that 1.e4 b6, "which the Italians call 'Il Fianchetto di Donna,' although disapproved of by the earlier writers, may be made by the second player without harm, if followed speedily by and ."
Using his opening, Owen defeated Paul Morphy in a game in London, 1858.
Read more about this topic: Owen's Defence
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