ECO B21 · for White
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
4,036,790 games in this band reached the Smith-Morra Gambit position. From there White won 51% and drew 3%.
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bb4 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 Nge7
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... c5
A counter-attacking opening. The asymmetry generally leads to sharp games.
2. d4
Offering up a pawn which will be followed up by c3 to gain quick development and good attacking chances.
2... cxd4
Capturing the pawn while preparing to develop quickly and defend.
Moves 3 to 4
3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6
3. c3
Sacrificing a pawn so that the knight can develop with a quick attack.
3... dxc3
Accepting the gambit. Black aims to defend and use the extra pawn to his advantage.
4. Nxc3
Recapturing the pawn while developing. White will continue with an attack on Black's king.
4... Nc6
Developing the knight. Back can't afford to fall behind in development.
- 4... e6: Attempting to develop and form a solid position with e6 and d6.
- 4... d6: Preventing White from playing e5 and allowing the light-squared bishop to develop.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bb4
5. Nf3
White activates the knight and intends to use the development advantage to make up for Black's extra pawn.
5... e6
Fighting for control of the center and opening up the dark-squared bishop.
- 5... d6: Fighting for the center and aiming to defend against White's development advantage.
6. Bc4
Keeping the development advantage and restricting Black's piece play.
6... Bb4
- 6... a6: Preventing either White’s bishop or knight from going to b5 and threatening to play b5 as well.
Moves 7 to 8
7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 Nge7
7. O-O
7... Bxc3
8. bxc3
8... Nge7
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The pawn on e4 typically captures the pawn on d5
- The dark-squared bishop generally develops to a3
- The bishop on c4 can move to b3 or d3
- The bishop on a3 often moves to d6
- The queen usually develops to e2
- A common pawn move is e5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Zukertort Opening for White