Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...b6/3. Nf3/3...Bb7

e6b6 Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rn1qkbnr/pbpp1ppp/1p2p3/8/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nf3 Bb7

e6b6 Defense

The e6b6 defense is an chess opening that traditionally begins with the moves:

1. e4 e6
2. d4 b6
3. Nf3 Bb7

It is named the e6b6 defense because, obviously, it starts with the moves 1...e6 and 2...b6. Many professional chess players have implemented the defense into their repertoire as a secret weapon in the french defense.

Description

The e6b6 defense is an hypermodern chess opening focusing on controlling the crucial d5 and e4 squares. The move e7-e6 supports a d7-d5 pawn push, the move b7-b6 prepares Bb7, and the move Bb7 controls the d5 and e4 squares directly. It wasn't used too often by casual chess players until famous Youtuber and International Master Levy Rozman created a chess course on the defense. Now, it is one of the more common defenses and has been used by many strong players.

The Owen Defense and English Defence are similar openings where Black often goes for an e6b6 setup.