Smith-Morra Gambit


Overview

The Smith-Morra Gambit is a chess opening that starts with 1. e4 and is used to counter the Sicilian Defense, one of Black’s most popular and aggressive openings.



The idea: White’s idea is to challenge the center right out of the opening, in a very aggressive way. The Sicilian Defense is a very active opening that is difficult for most White players to deal with, and the Smith-Morra Gambit is a way to confuse Black and aim for an advantage right out of the opening.

After White moves the pawn to c3, Black is left with a choice:

  1. To advance the pawn to d3 - the Advance Variation of the Morra Gambit Declined
  2. To transpose into the Alapin Variation by playing 3...g6 or 3...Nf6
  3. To take the pawn and enter the main line of the Morra Gambit Accepted.

Due to its aggressive and uncertain nature, the Smith-Morra Gambit is played mostly by amateur players, and is rarely seen at master level.



The Smith-Morra Gambit can be divided into three major variations, depending on Black’s choice we mentioned earlier.

The first choice Black has to make is whether or not to take the pawn on c3. If Black does not take and plays 3...d3 instead, we have our first major variation (Advance Variation - Morra Gambit Declined). If Black does not take the pawn on c3 but decides to play a move like 3...Nf6 or 3...g6, White’s best idea is to transpose into the Alapin Variation of the Sicilian Defense.

If Black takes the pawn, White takes back on c3 with the Knight, and we reach the main line of the Morra Gambit Accepted.

Thus, the three major variations are:

  • Morra Gambit Declined: Advance Variation
  • Morra Gambit Declined: Alapin Transposition
  • Morra Gambit Accepted: Main line

The idea behind the Advance Variation of the Morra Gambit Declined is not to allow White to grab a lead in development right out of the opening.

By not being able to take on c3 with the Knight, White does not develop this piece, nor does he open up the c-file, which is usually a very strong aspect of the Morra Gambit.


A different approach to the Smith-Morra Gambit is to transpose into the Alapin Variation of the Sicilian. Many players opt to do this since they do not know the main line of the Morra Gambit well enough or find it to be intimidating.

There are two ways to transpose into the Alapin: one is by playing 3...Nf6, and the other is by playing 3...g6.


In the main line of the Smith-Morra Gambit, Black takes the pawn on c3.

Although White achieves their main goal of developing the Knight right away and opening up the c-file, Black grabs the material advantage of a pawn and can easily reach a good position if he is careful and mindful of the complicated theory.


What is the Smith-Morra Gambit?

The Smith-Morra Gambit is a chess opening that is played against the Sicilian Defense in the Open Games (1.e4 c5).

In this variation, White immediately strikes in the center with the move 2. d4 and follows by sacrificing a pawn for activity and quick development with 3.c3.

You can see the moves below.



How to reach the Smith-Morra Gambit

  1. First, White must move the King’s pawn two squares (1.e4).
  2. Then, Black immediately replies by moving the c-pawn (1...c5).
  3. Now White strikes in the center by moving the Queen’s pawn two squares (2.d4).
  4. Black has no better option than to take it (2...cxd4).
  5. And White sacrifices a pawn by advancing his c-pawn (3.c3).

Take a look at the moves below.

Why Play The Smith-Morra Gambit

The Smith-Morra Gambit is a creative and interesting option against the Sicilian Defense, which is one of Black’s most popular openings against 1.e4.

While the Sicilian is famous for its aggressiveness and for being well-suited to creative and tactical players, the Smith-Morra Gambit aims to disrupt this by taking over the center right out of the opening and forcing Black to play passively with precise moves.

White’s ideas are very straightforward, while Black has to know how to navigate the complicated opening theory in order to get a material advantage out of this gambit.



Every move explained

Morra Gambit Declined: Advance Variation

How To Reach It

The Advance Variation of the Morra Gambit Declined appears on the board after the following moves:

  1. e4 c5
  2. d4 cxd4
  3. c3 d3

You can see the moves here.

Why play the Advance Variation?

By playing the Advance Variation, Black is resigning to the possibility of accepting the gambit and giving away the extra pawn right away.

The main idea is to avoid White’s plan of developing the Knight to c3 with a tempo and opening up the c-file.

It is not one of the most common variations for Black, as many players think it is not ambitious enough to give away the material advantage, but it is a good variation to avoid the complicated theory of the main line.

White's Moves

Take the pawn with the Bishop

When faced with the Advance Variation, White’s first thought should be to recapture the pawn on d3 somehow. Both the Queen and Bishop are ready to take on d3, but it is better to take with the Bishop and start to prepare for castling Queenside.

Control the center with c4

After taking over the center with d4, Black’s natural move according to his plan is to take on d5 with the Knight.

However, White should take this opportunity to expand further in the center and attack the Knight by pushing c2-c4.

Black's moves

Control the center with Nc6

After Black gives back the pawn on d3, the idea is to develop pieces quickly and effectively.

One of the best ways to do so is by placing the Knight on c6, from where it controls the important central squares d4 and e5.

Develop the dark-squared Bishop to g7

Another main plan for Black in this variation is to fianchetto his dark-squared Bishop on the Kingside. To do so, he must first push the g-pawn to g6 and proceed to develop the Bishop behind it, to g7.

This is a good plan to gain control over the large dark-squared diagonal.

Alapin Transposition

How To Reach It

The Alapin Transposition of the Smith-Morra Gambit appears on the board after the following moves.

  1. e4 c5
  2. d4 cxd4
  3. c3 Nf6
  4. e5

Or also:

  1. e4 c5
  2. d4 cxd4
  3. c3 g6
  4. cxd4 d5

Why play the Alapin Transposition?

When Black plays 3...Nf6 or 3...g6, the idea is to transpose into this well-known territory, the Alapin Variation of the Sicilian Defense.

By accepting a transposition into this line, Black is avoiding the complicated theory of the Morra Gambit and playing with familiar ideas instead.

White's Moves

Take the pawn on d4

When Black plays 3...Nf6, instead of accepting the Smith-Morra Gambit, White’s best idea is to transpose into the Alapin Variation.

The best way of doing this effectively is to push the pawn from e4 - where it was attacked by the Knight - to e5, where it attacks the Knight in return.

Black's moves

Develop the dark-squared Bishop to g7

Another main plan for Black in this variation is to fianchetto his dark-squared Bishop on the Kingside. To do so, he must first push the g-pawn to g6 and proceed to develop the Bishop behind it, to g7.

This is a good plan to gain control over the large dark-squared diagonal.

Breakthrough in the center with d5

One of Black’s main ideas in the Alapin Variation of the Sicilian is to strike in the center early on with the d7-d5 push.

The idea is to fight for central control and eventually try to isolate White’s d4 pawn, which will happen if White takes on d5.

Morra Gambit Accepted (main line)

How To Reach It

The Main Line of the Smith-Morra Gambit appears on the board after the following moves:

  1. e4 c5
  2. d4 cxd4
  3. c3 dxc3

You can see the moves here.

Why play the main line of the Smith-Morra Gambit?

The main line of the Smith-Morra Gambit is, as its name indicates, the most widely played variation in this opening.

This is an aggressive variation, in which Black decides to accept the gambit and has to play with accuracy in order to emerge with an advantage.

White’s play is sharper and more intuitive, but if Black manages to consolidate with an extra pawn, things may be complicated for White.

White's Moves

Take back the pawn on c3

First and foremost, White must take back the pawn on c3 with the Knight.

This is a good move because White is developing the Knight to its most natural square, from where it controls the central squares e4 and d5.

Develop the Bishop to c4

In the main line of the Smith-Morra Gambit, the best place for White’s light-squared Bishop is c4.

Not only does it control important central squares from there, but it also targets the f7 pawn and brings White closer to completing development by castling Kingside.

Control the d-file with Rd1

White’s main plan in the Smith-Morra Gambit is to severely impair Black’s development and peace play.

The first step to do this is controlling the d-file with the Rook, eventually threatening to push e4-e5 and weaken Black’s d6 pawn.

Black's moves

Create a wall of pawns in the center

In order to develop his pieces safely, Black cannot afford to be too ambitious in the center. This is why it is a good choice to create a solid wall of pawns with d6 and e6 before developing the minor pieces and castling Kingside.

Place the Queen on c7

Since one of White’s main plans is to control the d-file, it only makes sense for Black to move his most valuable piece - the Queen - somewhere safer.

The best square for the Queen is c7, from where it controls the c-file and is not as easily attackable.

Settle the center with e5

After White moves the Rook to d1, besides moving the Queen away, there is another thing that Black can do to stop the dangerous e4-e5 push, and that is to place the pawn on e5 himself.

This is a dangerous move since it severely weakens the d5 square, but it prevents White from gaining activity and settles the center.




Get The Visual Guide to All Chess Openings Cheat Sheet

These Cheat Sheet will give you every plan for each opening.

Click here to see an example.

We will send all new cheat sheets as they are created to your email. (You can expect to receive a new cheat sheet every three days.)