Morra Gambit (Smith–Morra Gambit)
Morra Gambit
Definition
The Morra Gambit—more commonly cited today as the Smith–Morra Gambit—is an aggressive anti-Sicilian weapon that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3. By voluntarily sacrificing the c-pawn (and sometimes a second pawn), White seeks rapid development, open lines, and sustained attacking chances against Black’s Sicilian Defence.
Typical Move Orders
The gambit can branch in two early directions:
- Accepted: 3…dxc3 4. Nxc3, reaching the tabiya of the Morra. This is the critical test.
- Declined: 3…Nf6, 3…d5, or 3…e6, when White often transposes into comfortable Alapin-style positions with an extra tempo.
A commonly seen continuation is:
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 9. Rd1
Strategic Objectives
- White’s Aims
- Exploit the lead in development to mount pressure on f7, e6, and especially d6.
- Seize open c- and d-files for rooks; plant a knight on d5 or c7.
- Create tactical motifs such as Bxf7+, Rxd6, or Nd5 forks before Black consolidates.
- Black’s Aims
- Neutralize the initiative—often by timely …d6–d5 or …e6–e5, returning the pawn if needed.
- Exchange pieces to blunt attacking potential and steer toward a favorable endgame with an extra pawn.
- Counterattack on the queenside (…a6, …b5) when development is complete.
Historical Background
The line is named after French player Pierre Morra, who analyzed 3. c3 in the 1930s, and American master Ken Smith, a Texas chess publisher who popularized it in the 1960s and 70s by scoring a series of spectacular upsets. Smith’s 1972 U.S. Open brilliancies prompted many grandmasters to add the gambit to their repertoires—if only to test it in casual or blitz play.
Representative Games
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Ken Smith – Bent Larsen, Las Palmas 1970
A classic attacking showcase ending in a picturesque queen sacrifice and mate. - Marc Esserman – Loek van Wely, Boston Blitz (Internet) 2012 Esserman’s modern treatise “Mayhem in the Morra” was inspired by wins like this rapid-fire crush against a 2700-rated GM.
Illustrative Tabiya
In this benchmark position all of White’s pieces are harmoniously placed, rooks eye the half-open files, and the thematic sacrifice Rxd6 is already in the air.
Common Tactical Motifs
- Nd5! – Forks c7 and f6; sometimes even wins the queen after …exd5? exd5.
- Bxf7+ – A sacrificial blow to drag the black king into the open when the knight sits on g5.
- Rxd6!! – Exchange sacrifice that destroys Black’s pawn shelter and unleashes the heavy pieces.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Ken Smith once printed 10,000 copies of his own Morra Gambit monograph—then mailed free copies to titled players worldwide “so they could finally play decent chess.”
- Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has employed the gambit in blitz streams to entertain audiences, sparking a resurgence of online interest.
- The ECO code for the Smith–Morra Accepted is B21; Declined lines usually fall under B20.
- In 2021, a Morra Gambit game was voted “Most Entertaining” in the Chess.com Titled Tuesday after White sacrificed three pieces to force mate.
Popularity Snapshot
Historically the gambit has hovered around 5 % usage versus the Sicilian at club level but drops sharply above 2500 Elo, where concrete theory reigns.
Why Study the Morra Gambit?
Even if you never adopt it regularly, learning the Morra sharpens tactical vision, teaches the value of the initiative, and prepares you to face surprise weapons over the board. Black players, meanwhile, ignore its traps at their peril.