Smith-Morra Gambit

Give a pawn against the Sicilian for fast development and open lines: Nc3, Nf3, Bc4, castle, Qe2 and Rd1 against the d6 pawn. This is a intermediate opening course for White (ECO B21), written for players rated around 1250. Each move is explained and then drilled on a board; it is free.

Key ideas of Smith-Morra Gambit

• After 3...dxc3 Nxc3 you are a pawn down but two moves ahead in development.
• The standard set-up: Nf3, Bc4, O-O, Qe2 and Rd1, all aiming at d6 and f7.
• Watch for Nd5 and Nb5 jumps against c7 and d6 when Black is careless.
• If Black declines with ...Nf6 or ...d5, you get an Alapin-type centre for free.

The line trainer

The line trainer for Smith-Morra Gambit has 50 lines that grow out of 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3, learned a few new ones a day with spaced-repetition review.

• Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted: 3...dxc3 (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3)
• Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Alapin Formation: 3...Nf6 (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6)
• Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation: 3...d3 (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3)
• Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation: 3...e5 (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 e5)
• Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation: 3...d5 (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d5)

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