What is this defense and what do u think of it?

This has been my favorite defense for a while but I don't know what it's called. I'd like to study some more variations of it as I have a lot of success with it vs lower ranked players, but tend to get out played vs higher ranks. The moves for white are from a recent loss but I tend to ignore white for the first 4 or 5 moves.

1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
3. Be3 Nh6
4. h3 0-0
5. Qd2 e6

I like this basic setup because it feels like the game is slowed down to a more conservative pace and (mostly against weaker players), the fact that I've given up control of the center is offset by my King being buried.

Also, in this particular line, if 6. Bxh6, then I started following Qh4 setting up a bishop and or queen exchange that benefits my defense even more.



Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

mmm, starts like the modern, although i have not come across the Nh6 variation before, although the knight looks to be out on a limb there. one of the advantages of the modern is that with the knight on g8, black cannot simply exchange our beautiful dark squared bishops by playing Bh6. when playing fianchettoed (spelling?) systems its important to note that we must challenge the centre at some point. and given your set-up, the obvious move is d5, thus you get into a fianchettoed French exchange variation thing, which is not bad at all! i am currently playing a game with a not dissimilar set-up to your own, once its finished we could discuss the pros and cons.

I used a database from a computer program and found 1. e4 ..g6 is the 'Robatsch Defense'. I don't know what variation it is; at move 3 it doesn't have the option for white to play Be3 and from there on the variations are quite different to yours.

I'd call it Kevin's Defense, and await the DVDs on it. This defense certainly breaks new ground in opening theory.

For example, what happens after 6 Bxh6 Qh4; 7 Bxg7 (or 7 Be3)?

Robatsch = modern

Originally posted by Blackson
I used a database from a computer program and found 1. e4 ..g6 is the 'Robatsch Defense'. I don't know what variation it is; at move 3 it doesn't have the option for white to play Be3 and from there on the variations are quite different to yours.

normally the variation goes, as follows, 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Be3 d6 4.Nc3 c6 5.Qd2 Nd7 after which white has a choice of f3, h4, 0-0-0, or f4

Originally posted by atticus2
I'd call it Kevin's Defense, and await the DVDs on it. This defense certainly breaks new ground in opening theory.

For example, what happens after 6 Bxh6 Qh4; 7 Bxg7 (or 7 Be3)?

does not Bxh6 simply leave black a piece down?

woah dude you're on fire! triple posting within 12 minutes, couldn't you have edited the first one 😀

sorry i am so used to the cut and thrust of the spirituality forum, where one false move and one is toast! you are correct, i need to relax..........ahhhh

I don't like the knight on h6 its to offset if you ask me, whats the purpose behind that move anyway? I would be prefer:

1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
3. Be3 e6
4. h3 Ne7
5. Qd2 0-0

which is an completely diferent oppening...

why don't you show us a game were you apply this opening?

Originally posted by KevinMWHM
This has been my favorite defense for a while but I don't know what it's called. I'd like to study some more variations of it as I have a lot of success with it vs lower ranked players, but tend to get out played vs higher ranks. The moves for white are from a recent loss but I tend to ignore white for the first 4 or 5 moves.

1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
3. Be3 ange that benefits my defense even more.



Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

I don't like the knight on h6, don't quite see the point in that setup. Very similar to a modern defense. I believe those type of defenses are good, just know that you are allowing white to get a strong pawn center, so the plan is to counter-attack the center from the wings. If you wait too long white will be too strong in the center.

Maybe the knight on h6 is looking to go to f5 if white plays e5?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
does not Bxh6 simply leave black a piece down?

Yes.

Most of the time I'd let this guy just lose a bunch of games with this opening and let him be on his merry way (until he learns some basic chess principles), but in this case I thought I'd chime in and point out that it's possible that the OP meant for the line to go 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Be3 Nh6 4. f3 0-0 5. Qd2 e6, since now 5. Bxh6 Qh4+ will pick the piece back up. Regardless, this line still loses immediately 5. Bg5! since after any response by Black, 6. Bxh6 is decisive.

Originally posted by !~TONY~!
Most of the time I'd let this guy just lose a bunch of games with this opening and let him be on his merry way (until he learns some basic chess principles), but in this case I thought I'd chime in and point out that it's possible that the OP meant for the line to go 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Be3 Nh6 4. f3 0-0 5. Qd2 e6, since now 5. Bxh6 Qh4+ will pick the pie ...[text shortened]... line still loses immediately 5. Bg5! since after any response by Black, 6. Bxh6 is decisive.

Never mind.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
normally the variation goes, as follows, 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Be3 d6 4.Nc3 c6 5.Qd2 Nd7 after which white has a choice of f3, h4, 0-0-0, or f4

[fen]r1bqk1nr/pp1nppbp/2pp2p1/8/3PP3/2N1B3/PPPQ1PPP/R3KBNR w KQkq - 0 6[/fen]

and a4 a move I rather like as it slows down blacks queen side pawn thrust.