Sicilian O'Kelly Variation: Normal System & Smith-Morra

Sicilian Defense: O’Kelly Variation (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6)

Definition

The O’Kelly Variation is a flexible branch of the Sicilian Defense that begins with the ­side-stepping move 2…a6 after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3. It is named after Belgian-Irish grandmaster and former FIDE President Albéric O’Kelly de Galway (1911-1980), who employed it regularly in the 1950s.

Purpose & Strategic Ideas

• Prevents white pieces from landing on b5 (especially a future Bb5+ that often annoys Najdorf players).
• Holds back the central confrontation for one tempo, asking White to commit before …d6 or …e6 are chosen.
• Offers transpositions to many Sicilian families—Najdorf, Scheveningen, Kan, or even a reversed Paulsen—depending on Black’s next move.
• Psychological weapon: the early side-move can take opponents out of deep theory on move 2.

Main White Replies

1. 3.d4 —the principal line, after which Black can choose the sharp 3…cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 or 3…e5 with a Najdorf-flavor.
2. 3.c3 —the “Normal System” (see next section), aiming for an Alapin setup and slower build-up.
3. 3.Nc3 —flexible, eyeing a transposition back to Open Sicilians if Black plays …e6 or …d6.
4. 3.c4 —Maróczy-style restraint, hoping to clamp down on the d5-break.

Historical Notes

O’Kelly first tested 2…a6 in high-level play in 1949. Boris Spassky used it with success against Bobby Fischer in Mar del Plata 1960, and modern grandmasters such as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen have adopted it occasionally to sidestep Najdorf theory.

Illustrative Game

Spassky–Fischer, Mar del Plata 1960: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5!—Black equalized and later won after a complex middlegame.

Interesting Facts

• Because the move 2…a6 commits nothing in the center, the variation has been humorously dubbed “the Najdorf without the Najdorf.”
• ECO codes B28-B29 cover the most critical O’Kelly positions.

Normal System (3.c3 against the O’Kelly)

Definition & Move Order

The “Normal System” arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.c3. White intends a delayed Alapin (c3-d4 pawn duo) rather than entering the Open Sicilian.

Typical Plan for White

• Play d4 only after careful preparation, often when Black’s knight is lured to f6 so that e5 gains tempo.
• Develop pieces harmoniously: Nf3–d2, Bf1-e2, 0-0, Qe2 or Qc2.
• Push e5 in many lines, cramping Black’s king-side knight.

Typical Black Set-ups

1. 3…Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 e6 with a French- or Caro-Kann-flavor structure.
2. 3…d5 immediately striking at the center; after 4.exd5 Qxd5 Black accepts an IQP for easy development.
3. 3…e6 heading toward a Scheveningen framework.

Sample Continuation

– White obtains a pleasant space advantage; Black banks on the long-term potential of …d6 and …dxe5 breaks.

Why It Matters

The Normal System is attractive to players who enjoy the positional Alapin structures but like avoiding 2…d5, the main antidote to 2.c3. Because 2…a6 does not hit the center, White gains time for a flexible setup.

Notable Encounters

• Caruana – Radjabov, FIDE Candidates 2019 (draw): Caruana employed 3.c3 and pressed for 75 moves.
• Mamedyarov – Topalov, Linares 2006 (White won): Illustrates how a timely e5 can suffocate Black’s pieces.

Trivia

Some databases still label 3.c3 as “Anti-O’Kelly,” but the older Belgian sources simply called it the “Normal System” because O’Kelly’s own analysis considered it White’s most principled answer.

Smith-Morra Line in the O’Kelly (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3)

Definition

The Smith-Morra Gambit characteristically begins with 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. After 2…a6, White must delay the gambit one move: 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3. This is called the “O’Kelly-Smith-Morra” or simply the Smith-Morra Line of the O’Kelly Variation.

Idea Behind the Gambit

• White sacrifices the c-pawn to gain rapid development, open the c- and d-files, and target f7.
• Because Black has already spent a tempo on …a6, the initiative gained by White is slightly enhanced compared with the “normal” Smith-Morra.

Critical Continuations

1. 4…dxc3 5.Nxc3 e6 6.Bc4 b5 7.Bb3 Nc6 – Black tries to use …b5 to kick the bishop and develop quickly.
2. 4…Nf6 declining the pawn. After 5.e5 Nd5 6.cxd4 e6, play resembles an Advance French with colors reversed.
3. 4…e5 transposes to an Open Sicilian where the inclusion …a6 can favor either side depending on piece placement.

Model Game

Esserman – Bercys, Paris Rapid 2013: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3 dxc3 5.Nxc3 Nc6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Nge7 8.Bf4 Ng6 9.Bg3 b5 10.Bd5! —White’s initiative soon crashed through on f7.

Historical & Practical Notes

• The original Smith-Morra promoters, Pierre Morra and Ken Smith, did not analyze the O’Kelly sidestep deeply, so modern theory is still evolving.
• Top attacking players—Marc Esserman, IM Lawrence Trent, and GM Alex Lenderman—have revived this line in blitz and rapid play.

Fun Fact

Because the extra …a6 often tempts Black to push …b5 prematurely, some Morra aficionados consider this version “the improved Smith-Morra” and jokingly annotate it “+= with interest.”