1. A move or plan to meet the opponent's attack.

2. Part of the name of openings played by Black; e.g. the Scandinavian Defense, King's Indian Defence, English Defence, etc.

1. Any move or plan that is intended to meet or stop an enemy's threats or attack.

2. Name used for openings initiated by black, such as Petroff Defense, French Defense. etc. These systems are called defenses due to black having the second move, and being forced to respond to white's first move.