Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4/2...cxd4

From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Smith-Morra Gambit
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4

Smith-Morra Gambit[edit | edit source]

The gambit actually is offered by the next move 3. c3. Taking back with 3. Qxd4?! really isn't a promising option, since the queen will be pushed around, while black makes developing moves like Nc6. Also, unlike the Center game, the trade of the c-pawn for the d-pawn also gives black added central control. However, 3.Nf3 is probably a promising way to avoid the Smith Morra. Black does best to transpose to the Open Sicilian, as if e5?!, c3 (the tempting 3. Nxe5?? Qa5+ loses the knight) gives white a better version of the Smith Morra with a hole on d5 and a backward d-pawn.

Theory table[edit | edit source]

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4
3 4 5
Smith-Morra Gambit c3
dxc3
Nxc3
Nc6
Nf3
d6
=
Nf3
d6
=
Qxd4
Nc6
=/+

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References[edit | edit source]