Smith Morra Gambit: An Introduction
The Smith Morra Gambit is an aggressive variation White can choose if, after 1.e4 , Black plays the Sicilian Defense with 1…c5. Rather than playing the main 2.Nf3. White enters the Smith Morra by playing 2.d4! 2.Nf3 is the main move because it prepares 3.d4 and (after 3…c5xd4) the recapture 4.Nxd4, and will lead to the main lines of the Open Sicilian.
So why the gambit?
Firstly, after (1.e4 c5 2.d4) , Black is obliged to capture 2…cxd4. The entire point of …c7-c5 was to control d4 (the other, still unoccupied center square), and just as in the main lines, it would make little sense to avoid the capture. To delay the capture simply gives White the chance to favorably develop with the central pawn duo, or even in some cases to push d4-d5, reaching a comfortable space advantage in a sort of Benoni pawn structure.
After 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4, White offers a pawn with 3.c2-c3 (Diagram)!
Black has four options, three of which decline the pawn (red arrows):
- 3…d5
- 3…Nf6
- 3…d3
- 3…dxc3 (green arrow) accepting the gambit
We’ll look at each of these four in turn, concluding with 3…dxc3, accepting the pawn.
Declining with 3…d5
Black can strike directly at the center with 3…d7-d5. The reasoning is to attack the e4 pawn, open the c8-Bishop’s diagonal to h3, and (as the other declining variations) resist the 3…dxc3 4.Nxc3 variation, when White is happy to quickly develop the Knight in exchange for the pawn.
Play usually continues (1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3. c3 d5) 4. exd5 (not using a tempo to protect e4) 4…Qxd5 (Diagram, right)
Now, 5.c3xd4 is often played right away. Delaying cxd4 (e.g. by moving the g1-Knight) stifles Nb1-c3 and allows Black to develop until they can take with …dxc3, keeping the pawn under better conditions.
Transposing To The Alapin
Both 3…d5 and 3…Nf6 (next section) will usually transpose (i.e. reach the same position from a different order of moves) to another “anti-Sicilian” line, the Alapin Sicilian. Black will usually do this to play a variation they’re likely more familiar with than the Smith Morra Gambit, but let’s have a look at why 3…d5 can leave Black with a slightly worse version in comparison.
This position arises after 1.e4 c5 2.c3 (The Alapin, or ‘2.c3’ Sicilian) 2…d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 (Diagram). Now, IF Black plays 4…cxd4, it’s White’s move in the same position as our previous diagram (4…Qxd5).
White would then recapture 5.cxd4 for the reasons above, and enjoy
a free c3 square for the b1-Knight and an attacking posture due to the IQP (Isolated Queen’s pawn) - without sacrificing a pawn!
[product skus="WIN0206CB,B0034CH,E-WIN0107CV"]However, in this Alapin move order, Black doesn’t have to help White by playing 4…c5xd4 just yet. They can develop normally (e.g. 4…Nf6) and stay flexible. This is why the Smith Morra Gambit version of the …d5 Alapin is playable, but not that great - the …c5xd4 capture is already built in. This is also why the …Nf6 variation is generally to be recommended.
Declining with 3…Nf6
After 1.e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6 (Diagram left) , Black has prioritized their own development, bringing out a Knight and attacking the e4 pawn. Play should continue 4.e5 (the natural Nb1-c3 is impossible) Nd5 (Diagram right), when White will often continue with 5.Nf3 followed by 6.cxd4.
This transposition has lead us to the 2…Nf6 variation of the Alapin, which we’d reach via:
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 (threatening c4 and d4-d5) cxd4 , with the same position as the (Diagram right), above, only with 4…c5xd4 being the last move rather than 4…Nf6-d5
(red arrow in diagram).
In both move orders, 5.cxd4 is also possible straight away, but 5.Nf3 is a bit more flexible. Additionally, 6.cxd4 is a main choice against all of Black’s possible 5th move replies.
While declining with 3…d5 or 3…Nf6 may end up resembling an Alapin or an Alekhine’s defense (e4-e5 followed by …Nf6-d5), the next variation will take on a different character.
Declining The Smith Morra Gambit with 3…d3
The final variation we’ll investigate to decline the Smith Morra Gambit appears after
1.e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3.
Black reasons that by returning the pawn, they delay White’s development (Nb1-c3) and deny them the open c-file.
White will typically recapture on d3 with the f1-Bishop, and advance the c-pawn to c4, reaching a structure similar to the Maroczy Bind, which can be reached from other, Open Sicilians.
Here’s an example, after
1.e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3 4. Bxd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 g6 6.c4 Bg7 7. O-O d6 8.h3 Nf6 9.Nc3:
White’s c4 and e4 pawns will grant them a central space advantage, and thus a small edge (as in the other variations reaching a Maroczy Bind position). However, Black has a few solid set-ups available.
The main differences between these set-ups is how Black chooses to position their pawns. If you’d like more details on how to play these positions as Black, a good term to search for is the Hedgehog.
The Smith Morra Gambit Accepted
Finally, the main line. After 1.e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3, White has sacrificed a pawn. In exchange, they’ve achieved a lead in development, a space advantage, and two open files. Normal moves from an unprepared player can quickly result in disaster, so it’s worth looking at a few ideas - for both sides!
From here, the game typically continues 4…Nc6 5.Nf3, when Black has a few options, the most important among them being 5…d6 and 5…e6 (Green). This article won’t cover all possible set-ups for Black, but keep in mind: correct play is essential , otherwise White can quickly build an initiative into an attack, as we’ll see.
[product skus="WIN0289CB,DVD0035EP,WIN0544CB"]Accepting the Smith Morra Gambit: 5…e6
The move …e6 seeks to diminish the influence of White’s light-squared bishop, which often develops to c4 with an active diagonal to f7. These variations often involve a later …d6, when Black seeks to restrain the center with their two central pawns.
The pawns on d6 and e6 resemble the Scheveningen structure, which arises in some of the Sicilian’s main lines. Black aims for a solid position, while White will argue the space disadvantage will leave the second player with a passive position.
Let’s take a look at a typical Smith Morra game with this set-up, where White quickly takes control: 1.e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 d6 (Diagram).
This game will show many of the common attacking devices White may draw upon in the Smith Morra. Chief among these is the thematic push e4-e5, which attacks the f6-Knight and aims to open the d-file.
Moves like Qe2, Rf1-d1, and Bf4 all serve to prepare this advance; let’s see how these ideas can come together.
7. O-O Be7 8.Qe2 a6 (a common move, trying to avoid Nc3-b5) 9.Rd1 b5 10.Bb3 Bb7 11.Bf4 Qc7 12. Rac1 (Diagram).
White has clear compensation for the sacrificed pawn. The threatened e4-e5 motivated the typical…Qc7, but now the c1-Rook pressures the black Queen again. Notice the c and d files hard at work for White!
12…e5 (against the e4 pawn / f4-Bishop, but opening another square…) 13.Nd5 Qd8 14. Be3 Rc8 15. a4 b4 16. Qc4 Nd4 (Diagram)
Black may be attempting to trade pieces via the discovered attack on the c4-Queen, but White’s piece activity culminates in a spectacular finish:
17.Nc7+! (with discovered attack on f7) Kd7? 18. Nxe5+ dxe5 (even faster was 18.Qe6+ fxe6 19.Bxe6+ Nxe6 20.Nxe5#) 19. Qe6+! fxe6 20.Bxe6+ Kd6 21.Rxd4+ exd4 22. Bf4# 1-0
In the game C. Oliver - J. Bennett, (correspondence) 1984
5…e6: Siberian Trap
And now, let’s see a variation where Black quickly comes out on top. This is arguably the most famous trap in the Smith Morra Gambit, so take care to avoid it!
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3 dxc3 5. Nxc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O Qc7 8.Qe2? Ng4! 9.h3?? Nd4! 0-1 was the game Muthu - Rao J., India 2004
The d4-Knight creates a double attack on the e2-Queen and f3-Knight, which is tied to the defense of h2 (10.Nxd4? Qh2#). Moving the Queen gets mated in two with 10…Nxf3+ followed by 11…Qh2#.
Note the above game features a slightly different move order, but the idea is the same. After 7…Qc7, Black has counted on White playing ‘on auto-pilot’ - 8.Qe2 is a normal, frequent move in the Smith Morra, but has in this case played right into Black’s hands (8…Ng4!).
[product skus="WIN0721CB,E-DVD0008FX,DVD0002RM"]White could have considered alternatives such as 8.Nb5 Qb8 (abandoning the h2/b8 diagonal is met with Bf4 and further trouble for Black) 9.e5! When accepting the pawn grants White an initiative, and declining it requires precise play to keep White’s plus to a minimum.
7.Qe2 was another try (instead of 7.O-O). If Black then insists with 7…Qc7 (other moves are possible to more easily keep the balance), 8.e5 Ng4 9. Bf4 is possible. These lines are full of interesting attacking ideas (e.g. the thematic Nc3-d5! sacrifice); the reader is encouraged to study them further at home.
Black’s Refutation? …Bg4
Through the history of the Smith Morra, there have been many spectacular games ending in quick defeats for Black. The line has gained a reputation for being difficult to play, which explains the emergence of the variations declining the gambit. One ambitious argument for taking the pawn and keeping it stems from the idea of a quick …Bc8-g4 and …Bg4xNf3.
Black is simply trying to exchange with the aim of lessening White’s attacking potential, as GM Ľubomír Ftáčnik shows in his 2010 Sicilian Defense repertoire:
1.e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 cxd4 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 (opening the c8/h3 diagonal) 6.Bc4 a6 (Diagram, left)
Smith Morra Gambit Possible Black Setups
…a6 is a typical Smith Morra move, and it’s a part of many possible Black set-ups. This variation illustrates the importance of controlling the b5 square against the c3-Knight.
Although …Bg4 is the idea, it can’t be played straight away. After
6. Bc4 Bg4?, the g4-Bishop is undefended, and thus becomes the victim of a tactical shot: 7.Bxf7+! Kxf7 8.Ng5+, recovering the piece via the discovered attack. However, if Black reasons “Oh, I’ll just play 6…Nf6 first so after 7…Bg4 the Bishop is defended,” they will have another problem after (6. Bc4 Nf6) 7.e5! (Diagram)
Finding a move (both here and further in the variations) for Black to hold the balance can prove difficult; for example, both captures of e5 lead to a plus for White. In the case of 7.e5 dxe5, White can play 8. Qxd8+ Nxd8 (8…Kxd8 9. Ng5 with continued pressure) 9. Nb5! (Diagram)
Nc7+ is threatened, and Black can already blunder into checkmate in two moves! 9.Nb5 Kd7?? (trying to stop Nc7+) 10. Nxe5+ Ke8 11. Nc7#
On the other recapture, (6. Bc4 Nf6 7.e5) 7…Nxe5? Loses to 8. Nxe5! , since 8…dxe5 is met by 9.Bxf7+ (Diagram), winning the d8-Queen.
Therefore, (6. Bc4) a6 is crucial to this system. After 7. O-O Nf6, Black is now ready for 8…Bg4, and should hold a small plus with further correct play (easier said than done!). White has several options from here (including 8. h3), which we’ll leave for the reader’s own study.
Conclusion
The Smith Morra is an interesting and tactically rich variation. It’s a good option if you’d like to depart from main line theory and play with initiative from the beginning with the white pieces.
If you play the Sicilian as Black, it’s important to have a game plan for whenever an opponent may surprise you with (1.e4 c5) 2. d4! As we’ve seen, there are options both to accept and decline the gambit.
Questions Answered
“I play the Sicilian, but how should I meet the Smith Morra?”
If you’ve played the Sicilian for some time, chances are you already have something against the Alapin. If this is the case, the 3…Nf6 variation may save you time.
“How to study such a complex opening?”
Try getting a book / repertoire course; follow along with the variations, try to understand why each move is chosen, and finally test your knowledge by playing. Repeat the cycle!
Bibliography
Chess.com. (n.d.). Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit. https://www.chess.com/openings/Sicilian-Defense-Smith-Morra-Gambit
Emms, J. (2002). Other Systems. In Starting Out: The Sicilian (pp. 169–173). essay, Everyman Chess.
Ftacnik, L. (2010). Grandmaster Repertoire: The Sicilian Defence. Quality Chess.
Smith-Morra Gambit. Chess Pathways. (2021, December 2). https://chesspathways.com/smith-morra-gambit/
Tekeyev, I. Z. (2023, December 21). Smith-Morra Gambit: Complete Guide. TheChessWorld. https://thechessworld.com/articles/openings/smith-morra-gambit-complete-guide/