Smith-Morra Gambit

Play as WhiteGambit

White gives a pawn against the Sicilian for quick development and pressure on the open lines.

The main line, move by move

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qe2 Be7

1. 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... c5 — The Sicilian: fight for the d4 square from the side.
3. 2. d4 — Open the center. White is ready to offer a pawn.
4. 2... cxd4 — Takes the pawn on d4.
5. 3. c3 — The Morra: offer a pawn to get fast development.
6. 3... dxc3 — Takes the pawn on c3.
7. 4. Nxc3 — Takes the pawn on c3.
8. 4... Nc6 — Brings the knight into the game.
9. 5. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
10. 5... d6 — Prepare to develop and keep the extra pawn.
11. 6. Bc4 — Brings the bishop into the game.
12. 6... e6 — Solid: control d5 and free the bishop.
13. 7. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
14. 7... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
15. 8. Qe2 — Prepare to bring the rooks to the center files.
16. 8... Be7 — Brings the bishop into the game.

Related openings

• King's Gambit
• Queen's Gambit
• Evans Gambit
• Danish Gambit
• Scotch Gambit

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