Owen Defense: Smith Gambit
The Smith Gambit arises from the Owen Defense after 2.d4 Bb7 3.Nf3, where White simply leaves the e4 pawn hanging to the fianchettoed bishop. White hopes a lead in development pays for the pawn, while Black can grab e4 with 3...Bxe4 and keep a sound extra pawn.
- Moves
- 1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Nf3
- ECO
- B00
- Engine
- −0.55 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,194 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 3...Bxe4 play 4.Nc3, gaining a tempo on the bishop and getting a second piece out at once.
- Push d5 to shut the b7 bishop out of the long diagonal and take e6 and c6 from Black's pieces.
- Develop with Bc4 and Bg5, as in the main engine line, so every minor piece is active before Black castles.
- If Black declines with ...a6 or ...d6, set up a broad center with Bd3, c4 and Nc3.
Black
- Take the pawn with 3...Bxe4. Nothing in the position punishes the capture, and the bishop can drop back to b7.
- After 4.Nc3 retreat with ...Bb7, then develop with ...Nf6 and ...e6 to cover the light squares.
- Meet d5 with ...c6 to reopen the diagonal for the b7 bishop and challenge the advanced pawn.
- Watch the pin after Bg5 against the f6 knight; ...e6, a bishop move and short castling keep the king safe.
Plans and pawn structure
If Black takes on e4, White plays for activity: Nc3, d5, Bc4 and Bg5 build a lead in development and a space edge on the light squares. Black aims to consolidate with ...Nf6, ...e6, a bishop move and castling, then strike at d5 with ...c6 to free the b7 bishop. Once Black is castled, the extra pawn usually tells. If Black declines, White gets a comfortable classical center with Bd3 and c4, and Black plays a slow hedgehog setup with ...a6, ...d6 and ...Nd7.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.55: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.55 3...Bxe4 4.Nc3 Bb7 5.d5 Nf6 6.Bc4
- +0.81 3...a6 4.Bd3 d6 5.c4 Nd7 6.Nc3
- +0.90 3...d6 4.Nc3 a6 5.Qe2 Nd7 6.g3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,194 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, accept with 3...Bxe4. Answer 4.Nc3 with ...Bb7 and develop the kingside quickly with ...Nf6 and ...e6. Do not grab more material with your queen before castling. Declining with ...a6 or ...d6 is playable but hands White a free center for nothing.
Questions
What are the moves of the Owen Defense: Smith Gambit?
The Owen Defense: Smith Gambit starts 1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Nf3. Its ECO code is B00.
Is the Owen Defense: Smith Gambit good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.55 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 1,194 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.2%. A dubious gambit for White that rewards fast attackers in blitz, while a careful Black player can simply take the pawn and develop.
What is the main idea of the Owen Defense: Smith Gambit?
White gives the e4 pawn to speed up development. After 3...Bxe4 4.Nc3 Bb7 5.d5, White uses tempo moves and space to build pressure, while Black must finish development and break with ...c6 to keep the extra pawn.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bxe4, with a6 and d6 close behind. 3...Bxe4 wins a clean pawn, since White's lead in development after 4.Nc3 is not enough to cause real trouble.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.