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1.Opening

Smith-Morra Gambit

You play WhiteB21GambitIntermediate

Tired of Sicilian theory? Give a pawn for a huge lead in development and open c- and d-files.

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 …

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Main Line: position after 10 moves8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
Main Line: position after 10 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. Pawn for fast development and open files.
  2. Pieces: Nc3, Nf3, Bc4, O-O, Qe2, Rd1 — almost automatic.
  3. Rd1 hits the d6 pawn; Black's position can get very cramped.
3.Main line

Main line · 19 moves

Main Line

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
e4Claims the center.
c5The Sicilian Defense.
2
d4Challenges c5 right away.
cxd4Black takes.
3
c3The Smith-Morra Gambit: offer another pawn to open lines.
dxc3Black accepts.
After 3…dxc3
After 3…dxc3
No. White Black4
Nxc3Recaptures with development. White has open c- and d-files and a big lead in development.
Nc6Black develops.
5
Nf3Develops and controls d4 and e5.
d6Controls e5 and opens the c8 bishop.
6
Bc4The bishop aims at f7.
e6Blunts the bishop on the a2–g8 diagonal.
After 6…e6
After 6…e6
No. White Black7
O-OCastles quickly.
Nf6Black develops.
8
Qe2Clears d1 for a rook and prepares e5 or Rd1.
Be7Prepares to castle.
9
Rd1The rook lands on the open d-file, pressuring d6.
e5Black blocks the long diagonal and the e5 push.
After 9…e5
After 9…e5
No. White Black10
h3Stops ...Bg4, which would pin the knight that fights for d5.
After 10.h3
After 10.h3
4.Play

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5.More

More 1.e4 openings