The Shestostani Defence (also known as the Shesto–Yakub Defence) is a rare and unconventional chess opening for White, characterized by the early center pawn move e3 followed by Nf3, then d3 and Nc3, finalized by the moves Bd2 and Be2. A typical move order is 1. e3 g6 2. d3 3. Nf3 4. Nc3 5. Be2 6. Bd2, although other sequences are possible. It is considered a hypermodern and provocative system where White deliberately spends a tempo on a defensive move to limit Black's options and prepare a flexible, potentially fortified center.
Notable Games and Practitioners The opening is primarily associated with its creators, Shesto and Yakub, and has been featured in their online games. It has not been adopted by any notable grandmasters in classical play, but it occasionally appears in online content focused on unusual openings.
Example Line A representative line showcasing the Shestostani idea: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. a3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 White has achieved a solid, if somewhat passive, position reminiscent of a slow Pirc/Modern variation, but with the slight peculiarity of the a3 move included
Notable Games and Practitioners The opening is primarily associated with its creators, Shesto and Yakub, and has been featured in their online games. It has not been adopted by any notable grandmasters in classical play, but it occasionally appears in online content focused on unusual openings.
Example Line A representative line showcasing the Shestostani idea: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. a3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 White has achieved a solid, if somewhat passive, position reminiscent of a slow Pirc/Modern variation, but with the slight peculiarity of the a3 move included
by Almazbek January 5, 2026
Get the Shestostani defence mug.The Shestostani Defence (also known as the Shesto–Yakub Defence) is a rare and unconventional chess opening for White, characterized by the early center pawn move e3 followed by Nf3, then d3 and Nc3, finalized by the moves Bd2 and Be2. A typical move order is 1. e3 g6 2. d3 3. Nf3 4. Nc3 5. Be2 6. Bd2, although other sequences are possible. It is considered a hypermodern and provocative system where White deliberately spends a tempo on a defensive move to limit Black's options and prepare a flexible, potentially fortified center.
The Shestostani Defence, played by white Origins and Naming The opening is named for its co-creators, the players Shesto and Yakub, who developed and popularized its use in online and correspondence chess in the early 21st century. It is a deliberate departure from mainline theory, designed to create imbalanced, strategic positions from the very first moves.
Example Line A representative line showcasing the Shestostani idea: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. a3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 White has achieved a solid, if somewhat passive, position reminiscent of a slow Pirc/Modern variation, but with the slight peculiarity of the a3 move included.
The Shestostani Defence, played by white Origins and Naming The opening is named for its co-creators, the players Shesto and Yakub, who developed and popularized its use in online and correspondence chess in the early 21st century. It is a deliberate departure from mainline theory, designed to create imbalanced, strategic positions from the very first moves.
Example Line A representative line showcasing the Shestostani idea: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. a3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 White has achieved a solid, if somewhat passive, position reminiscent of a slow Pirc/Modern variation, but with the slight peculiarity of the a3 move included.
by Almazbek January 5, 2026
Get the Shestostani defence mug.Related Words
drefen
• Drefense
• defenestration
• defenestrate
• defensive
• defense
• Dreden
• Defender
• defenestrated
• Defensitive
Man 1 : Why the hell are you watching that?
Man 2 : Oh Francis sent it me
Man 1 : Try to use The Francis Defence aren't ya?
Man 2 : Oh Francis sent it me
Man 1 : Try to use The Francis Defence aren't ya?
by Turtlejuice July 24, 2007
Get the The Francis Defence mug.a defensive strategy implemented in NHL '10 that involves playing all players back in order to avoid a skunking (aka mercy).
Matt scored 3 goals in the first 30 seconds. Jared then employed the brian defense and lost the game 3-0.
by killa Brand v3 February 7, 2010
Get the the brian defense mug.A defense used for charges of indecent exposure. First used in Davenport case where a man had his wife testify that he was not well-endowed enough for a female postal worker to have seen his penis from about 35 feet away.
by The real Lappy May 26, 2010
Get the The McFly defense mug.Similar to The Chewbacca Defense, wherein a person will completely switch the subject of their argument to something totally unrelated. By hammering this point home the intent is to make the debating partner completely give up. In a Dead Chewbacca Defense, the point that the user switches to will be completely wrong, untrue or contradictory, and he or she will continue to support this point and hammer it in until the opponent has to go with it and submit.
Named for the Chewbacca Defense and the Dead Parrot Defense.
Named for the Chewbacca Defense and the Dead Parrot Defense.
Here, Rob uses the Dead Chewbacca Defense
Doug: Well, I can see your point there but beauty is defined by the individual-
Rob: My shirt is blue!
Doug: No it's not..
Rob: Sky blue!
Doug: Your shirt is white.
Rob: My shirt is blue!
Doug: Screw it.
Doug: Well, I can see your point there but beauty is defined by the individual-
Rob: My shirt is blue!
Doug: No it's not..
Rob: Sky blue!
Doug: Your shirt is white.
Rob: My shirt is blue!
Doug: Screw it.
by Jordrake December 5, 2010
Get the Dead Chewbacca Defense mug.The Hartman Defense is, in general, when a person simply proclaims they have no knowledge of anything at all, therefore could not be guilty of anything, ever. Defendant simply raises their voice and shouts "I don't know nothin'". It is brilliant in it's simplicity.
Attorney: Where were you on the night of July 22nd, 2013?
Defendant: I plead The Hartman Defense.
Attorney: Please elaborate.
Defendant: I don't know nothin'!
Judge: (pounds gavel) Case dismissed.
Defendant: I plead The Hartman Defense.
Attorney: Please elaborate.
Defendant: I don't know nothin'!
Judge: (pounds gavel) Case dismissed.
by BUBBS January 17, 2014
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