By playing 1...b6, Black prepares to fianchetto the where it will participate in the battle for the . The downside of this plan is that White can occupy the centre with pawns and gain a . Moreover, 1...b6 does not prepare castling as 1...g6 does, and it is harder for Black to augment his pressure against the centre with ...f5, which weakens the kingside, than it is to play the corresponding move ...c5 after 1...g6. Owen's Defence accordingly has a dubious reputation. The move ...b6 has been played on the first or second move by grandmasters Jonathan Speelman, Pavel Blatny, Tony Miles, Edvins Kengis, and Normunds Miezis, and International Masters Bricard and Filipovic.